Wilber Lars Jensen

Wilber Lars Jensen was born on Nov. 27, 1935, to Orvald and Eva Jensen in Iowa City, Iowa, and joined them in rest on June 2, 2018.

Wilber spent the first half of his life in Iowa, graduating high school, attending college, coming into fatherhood and joining the Marine Corps. He spoke fondly of Iowa. Iowa laid the foundation for the loves of his life: Jesus, family and country. Iowa also taught lessons that developed character: hard work, honesty, humility, forgiveness and acceptance.

In the mid-'70s, Wilber moved to Montana and worked as an insurance agent. He developed strong friendships with Ed, Bob and George, and met his wife, Klara. Wilber and Klara were married on June 9, 1979, and lived a wonderfully happy and committed marriage.

Wilber loved his children: Evie, Bruce (Victoria), Lori (Kevin), Brian, Nikki (Tory), Brent and Ashley (Henry) and all 17 of his grandchildren and four great-grandkids.

Wilber loved his country and the U.S. Marine Corps. He enlisted shortly after graduating high school and then joined the Marine Corps League, Eugene Sarah Detachment in 1988. He was so proud to participate in any detail and was active in starting squads in Roundup, Miles City and working with the Young Marines.

Among the big things, Wilber also made time for the smaller loves in his life: Coffee, visiting with friends at the Emporium, biscuits and gravy and fishing.

Please join us in celebrating the man we love at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 20, at the Laurel Methodist Church, 307 W. Fourth St. Graveside service with military honors will follow at Yellowstone National Cemetery in Laurel at 12 noon.

Special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Billings Clinic and at the VA.