Marlyn George "Huz" Jensen, 74
Marlyn George "Huz" Jensen, 74, of Kalispell, passed away peacefully at home in the company of his family on Monday, Nov. 8, 2004.
Huz was born on March 18, 1930, in Lostwood, N.D., to Eileene (Hammond) and George Jensen. He and his older brother Cliff grew up and attended schools in Berthold, N.D., Livingston and Miles City. A graduate of Custer County High School in Miles City in 1948, Huz was an all-round athlete. He played on a state champion American Legion baseball team in 1947 and in other sports, including his lifelong favorite, football.
Prior to attending the University of Montana, Huz served in the U.S. Navy as a gunners mate on the destroyer USS Hollister that was
deployed to Hawaii and along the West Coast.
After playing on the Grizzly football team for four years, Huz
graduated from UM in 1955 with a degree in physical education. He began his 38-year career as an educator and coach by teaching biology and coaching sports for two years at Flathead High School. He moved to Boys' Central in Butte from 1957 through 1965, where he also taught biology. He served as the head football coach at Central, with his team winning the state championship and Huz receiving Class 1-A Football Coach of the Year honors in 1964.
Returning to Kalispell in 1965, Huz was Flathead's head football coach for four years, and assisted with coaching wrestling and track and field. He taught U.S. history for 28 years, retiring from FHS in 1993. He was honored as Teacher of the Year in 1990.
This past August friends and family helped Huz celebrate the 50th anniversary of his marriage to Jo Ann (Warzeka). In addition to raising four daughters of their own, Huz and Jo Ann were the AFS parents of Claudia Macias de Angeles of Mexico City in 1980-81.
Huz recently celebrated another golden anniversary. He rode in the 2004 University of Montana homecoming parade along with his 1954 football teammates, who were recognized at a pregame ceremony at the homecoming game of his beloved Grizzlies.
Besides teaching, Huz often worked as a wrestling official and served for several years as the director of city recreation in Kalispell, responsible for Bruckhauser Pool and sporting fields in the community. He also worked for 24 years in Flathead County's Juvenile Work Program, helping to nudge many slightly wayward youth back toward the path of the straight and narrow as he supervised them during their assigned work hours.
Huz was active in several community organizations, including the Sunrisers Lions Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the board of the Central School Museum, the Grizzly Athletic Association, and the Elks, who recognized him as Elk of the Year, 1985-1986.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Cliff Jensen; and a nephew, Mark Jensen.
He is survived by his wife, Jo Ann; four daughters and their husbands, Tracey and Dick Dramstad of Arlington, Mass., Robin and Ron Marvin and Laura Jensen and Paul Wagner, all of Kalispell, and Jackie and Jon Fenton of Lynnwood, Wash.; his sister-in-law, Gale Jensen, of Kalispell; nephews, Steve Jensen of Billings, and David Jensen of Texas; niece, Debbie Pemberton, also of Texas; four grandchildren, Zachary Lindsay of Missoula, Eric and Will Dramstad of Arlington, and Nina Wagner of Kalispell; he also leaves behind his feline companion, Harriett the Spy.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 15, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Kalispell, with Father Vic Langhans, celebrant. Committal will follow at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.
The family suggests memorials be made to The Grizzly Football Teams of 1952, 1953, 1954, 1955, and 1956 Scholarship Fund, in care of the University of Montana Foundation, PO Box 7159, Missoula MT 59807.
Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.