Wesley James Jensen

Wesley James Jensen, 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 7, 2025 surrounded by his family. Visitation will be held at Fiksdal Funeral Service on Thursday, April 10, 2025 from 5:00-7:00PM. Memorial Service will be at Westside Wesleyan Church in Bristol on Friday, April 11 beginning at 2:00PM.

Wesley James Jensen was born in Valley Township, Day County, SD on May 31, 1935 to Harold and Alma (Gustafson) Jensen. He attended rural Jackman School through the 8th grade and graduated from Bristol High School in 1953. He attended the Ag program at SDSU for young farmers held during the winter months in Brookings, SD. 

He joined the National Guard and then went into the regular Army in 1955, serving in the US and Germany. He was Honorably discharged. 

After his father’s untimely death he took over the family farming operation where he lived the remainder of his life. Farming was not only his occupation, it was his hobby and his life long passion.

On March 6, 1966 he married Jeanette Chesley. Their wedding was postponed for a day due to a massive blizzard. They had three children-Nick, Amber and Autumn. His devotion to his family was paramount and he was a shining example of God’s love to his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and their children.

Wesley served the community for many years on the Bristol GTA Elevator Board, the Bristol School Board, Sun Dial Manor Board, the 1976 Bristol Swimming Pool Building Committee, the Farmer’s Union Board, and was a Trustee and Church Board member at Westside Wesleyan Church.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jeanette, his son Nick (Connie) of Bristol, SD, daughters Amber (Dave) Grayson of Tea, SD and Autumn (Jaymy) Spiering of Webster, SD, a brother Stanley (Carole) Jensen of Colorado Springs, CO and sister LaDonna (Gene) Ashmore of Phoenix, AZ. Grandchildren John Jensen, Hannah Jensen, Laura Grayson, Cierra Grayson, Sara Spiering, Jaycob Spiering and Jacksyn Spiering, and his very special nieces and nephews and their children who cherished him as Uncle. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Janice (Jerry) Roth.