Jim W. Jensen, 78

Jim W. Jensen, 78, “went to our Father” on July 25, 2012, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. 

Jim was born on March 25, 1934, in Kalispell in a house on Third Avenue West, to Catherine and Christen Jensen.

 Jim started and ended his school career in the Kalispell School District and graduated from Flathead County High School. 

Before enlisting in the Navy in February of 1953, he worked as a logger for Ernie Kinshella. Upon entering the Navy he was sent to San Diego for Boot Camp. He was assigned to the USS Bremerton, where he joined the cruiser in Yokosuka, Japan. After three years aboard the USS Bremerton, he was transferred to the USS Tausig for 10 months. During his ten months on USS Tausig, he and his shipmates made four cruises to the Far East during the Korean Conflict. In 1957, Jim separated from the Navy. After spending four years in the Ready Reserve, he received an honorable discharge in 1961.

In May of 1957, Jim returned to Kalispell and became a deputy for the Flathead County Sheriff’s Department. During his time with the Sheriff’s Department, he was selected to attend the first class of the Montana Law Enforcement Academy at Montana State University. He served as the secretary/treasurer of the Flathead Life Saving and Rescue Association.

Jim was married to Marlys Mielke of Osakis, Minn., on Jan. 16, 1960. He returned to Kalispell with his bride and remained a deputy sheriff.

In December of 1962, Jim was hired as a probationary patrolman with the Montana Highway Patrol.   His first position was as a civilian driver examiner. In April and May of 1963, was sent through the Highway Patrol Academy at Fort Harrison, located in Helena. He returned to his driver examiner post as a uniformed officer (badge No. 237) upon his completion of the Highway Patrol Academy. In July 1964, Jim was transferred to Libby as a patrol officer. The two-man station saw the beginning of Libby Dam. In March of 1970, he was assigned to the Bigfork post as the first resident patrolman. In December of 1979, he received a promotion to sergeant (badge No. 133) and transferred to Glendive for six months. Havre was his next station, from July of 1980 to June of 1983.  Jim received a promotion to lieutenant (badge No. 120) and transferred to Butte in June of 1983.  Eight months later the Highway Patrol transferred him to Helena, where he served as an inspector until October of 1986. The announcement of his retirement from the Highway Patrol brought one last transfer to the Communication Center in Helena, where he served as commander until Sept. 30, 1986. Jim returned to Bigfork, where he and his family established a permanent residence in 1971.

The road being in his blood from the Highway Patrol, he longed to return to driving. He became a driver for Carie Trucking in February of 1987. He delivered various petroleum products. In April 1992, Jim moved his driving career to City Service as a part-time employee. His travels with City Service took him to Oregon; Idaho; Montana; British Columbia, Canada; and Alberta, Canada. The driving was mainly fill-ins on weekends, holidays and the summer months.

Jim joined Marlys in driving a school bus for Bigfork School District. He drove from Yellow Bay to Woods Bay picking up children and getting them safely to and from school. Jim had many fond memories of the children he drove. The ones that remained close to Bigfork would run into him and often let him know how they were doing. He retired from driving school bus.

Jim currently held the office of president for both the USS Bremerton Reunion and U.S. Navy Cruiser Sailors Association. He has held the position of past master for the Bigfork Masonic Lodge.

Jim is survived by his wife, Marlys; and three daughters and their families, Kim, Marv and Kayla Gielen of Bigfork, Kristie Jensen of Dundee, Ore., and Kari, Todd, Kearsten and Scott Friedrich of Newberg, Ore.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Christen Jensen; and mother and stepfather, Ben and Ann Hebert.

He will be greatly missed by many. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Montana Hope Project, P.O. Box 5927, Helena, MT 59604, also online at www.montanahope.com, or Bethany Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 398, Bigfork, MT 59911.

 A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 1 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 8559 Montana 35, in Bigfork.