Dana Kirk Jensen, age 77, of Sherman, SD and Roy Lake, SD died on Monday, November 18, 2024 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. Family present visitation will begin at 1:00 PM on Monday, November 25, 2024 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls, SD.
Dana's funeral service will follow his visitation at 2:00 PM on Monday, November 25, 2024 at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory with burial at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD.
Dana Kirk Jensen was born on May 27, 1947 in Sioux Falls, SD to Alven and Eunice (Kuper) Jensen. He spent his youth in Sioux Falls receiving his education at Washington High School before moving to Sherman, SD in 1963 and continuing his high schooling at Garretson High School. At a very young age, Dana developed a passion for music, self-teaching himself how to play the guitar and playing by ear Dana would follow in the steps of the music stylings of Waylon Jennings and real country music. Dana was a member of the band Turquoise Blue, the Roamers and the Jensen Brothers until the passing of his brother, Galen Sr. in 2013. In the more recent years, he formed the band, Dana Jensen and friends. Throughout his musical career, Dana entertained crowds at many street dances, bars and nursing homes in Eastern South Dakota and Western Minnesota. Dana was inducted in to the Legends of South Dakota Country Music in 2010, the South Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013 and was awarded "CD of the Year" in 2015 by the South Dakota Country Music Hall of Fame for his CD "731".
Following his education, Dana began working as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service, delivering mail to the rural communities of Sherman, SD for over 34-years until his retirement in 2002. In addition to delivering mail, Dana worked alongside his father and then co-owning and operating with his brother, Galen Sr. the Jensens Service in Sherman until selling the business in 1989.
In 1989, Dana purchased a lake home at Roy Lake and loved spending summers, fishing, eating fish and entertaining family and friends with countless stories. Above all, Dana cherished spending time with his family and friends. He was a loving brother, uncle, cousin, musician and friend who will be deeply missed.
Grateful for having shared his life are his niece, Mary Greenlee of Lubbock, TX; nephew, Galen (Karen Bremmon) Jensen Jr., Pierpont, SD; great nieces and great nephews: Dylan Greenlee, Ashley Greenlee, Sophie Greenlee, Alex Jensen and Zoey LeBlanc; cousins, Steve (Lola) Kuper, Sioux Falls, SD, Dan (Jane) Kuper, Dell Rapids, SD, Jim (Jill) Kuper, Dell Rapids, SD, Lynne Kuper, Dell Rapids, SD, Jeff (Ann) Kuper, Dell Rapids, SD, Rod (Kim) Kuper, White, SD and Tami (Steve) Clark, Dell Rapids, SD; many other relatives and friends.
Dana is preceded in death by his parents, Alven and Eunice Jensen; brother, Galen Jensen Sr.; sister-in-law, Louise Jensen and cousin, Kevin Kuper.
