Donald Andre Jenson passed away peacefully on June 28, 2023 after an unexpected illness, surrounded by his loving family.
He is predeceased by his wife Doris and daughter Gloria (aged 2 years). He is survived by his children, daughters Mardi (Marc) Lavertu, Patti Grey, Joni (Riley) Anderson, and his son Wade (Sandra) Jenson. Don is also survived by his eleven grandchildren (Etienne, Ainsley, Taylor, Reid, Alix, Jordan, Diandra, Regan, Sawyer, Madison, and Rhys) and his six great grandchildren (Declan, MacEwan, Leif, Evie, Desmond, and Aiden) as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Don was born September 14, 1930 in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan to Alice and Canby Jenson. He grew up in the nearby hamlet of Scout Lake along with his four siblings, Clarice, Jeanette, Vernon, and Howard.
Don and his wife Doris (née Seal) were married in Assiniboia on June 7, 1952. They shared a wonderful marriage for 66 years until her passing in 2018.
Together they enjoyed spending time with family and friends, dancing, playing tennis, gardening, traveling and exploring their family ancestries. Having a keen interest in photography, Don captured many precious moments over the years and took great pleasure in sharing these photos and videos for others to enjoy.
In 1958, while working for the Canadian Pacific Railway as a telegraph operator/agent, Don was offered the opportunity to work in sales with Investors Syndicate, now known as Investors Group. This career change took him and his family to Moose Jaw and then, in 1968, to Victoria, BC, where he was appointed Regional Manager for Vancouver Island, a position he held until retiring from management in 1993.
Don was an active and long serving Rotarian (1960 – 2020) and a past President of the Rotary Club of Victoria (1982 – 1983). Over the years he and Doris were fortunate to attend many Rotary International conventions around the world.
Don was also a longtime member of Cadboro Bay United Church, now known as Broad View United Church.
A celebration of Don’s life will be held at 11:00 am on July 28, 2023 at Broad View United Church, 2625 Arbutus Road, Victoria, BC.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society of BC.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
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Nye
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Myra Mackenzie Mardi, Patti, Joni, Wade and families.
We’re thinking of your family today as you mourn the loss of, and pay tribute to your dad! He lived a very full life and was blessed to live many years to enjoy his family!
Condolences and love sent from Myra, Duncan, Kyle and Emily
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Jaime Briggs My thoughts are with all the family during this difficult time.
I always had such fond memories growing up as a young girl in Victoria and being around both Don and Doris Jensen. Don’s laugh and smile was infectious and I will always remember how kind and jovial he was.
I know that my folks Dale and Dorothy Briggs also will miss him and the many memories over the years.
I am sorry that we cannot make it down to Victoria on Friday. Please know that we will be there in spirit.
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Janis & Dan Pollock & Family Mardi, Patti, Joni, Wade and families:
We are very sad to learn of Don’s passing. Don had an amazing way of making everyone he spoke to feel like what they were saying was important and he was interested in listening to them. Both Don and Doris were always interested and enthusiastic about getting together with family both at home and abroad. Over the years, your parents have always been willing to travel to or host family get togethers so all of our generation have had the luxury of staying in touch. That’s a gift we will always treasure.
We cherish our wonderful memories we have of time spent with them. We are thinking of all of you and are sending our love and sympathy.
Love, Janis, Dan, Bethany, Jennifer, Mike, Evan and Rachel
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Jim and Mary Knowler Thank you so much, Patti and Mardi, for arranging the visual meeting with your dad,you girls,Mary & I shortly before he passed. We’ll cherish that memory forever. Your dad was my “father figure” throughout my life and a mentor to me. He will be missed. Condolences to his family, Jim and Mary Knowler
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Gerald Pash Had the great pleasure of presenting Don with Honorary Life Membership in the Rotary Club of Victoria and nominating him for a Governor’s Award of Excellence. His contribution to the communities where he lived and to Rotary is legendary. Condolenses to all those close.
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Marie Our thoughts are with the Jenson family. Many happy memories from Hillcrest, Arbutus and Mt.Doug school years. Also remember your Mom and Dad twirling on the dance floor at Racquet Club on many occasions. Lots of hockey memories, as well. Hugs to all.
Marie and Ed Longpre’ and family.
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Randy Smith To the Jensen Family
My condolences and deepest sympathy.
Don hired me in 1987 as a representative for Investors Group. He was a wonderful man who cared deeply about the people he worked with. It was an honour for me to work for and with him. I had a very successful career with IG and it changed my life. He will always be remembered as a man of integrity and honour, who enjoyed a good party.
Rest in Peace Don
Randy Smith
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Garth and Leanne Hannah Mardi, Patti, Joni, Wade and families: We were very sorry to learn of Don’s passing. We enjoyed our visits with Don through the years. His love of family was always present, but, to us, he also always had a keen interest in others outside of family and what was happening in their lives. He had a way of making people feel at ease and reminisce about the past when he was making his videos, and we feel fortunate to have benefited from this talent by way of a video he made chatting with mom and dad.
He was a terrific person and will be dearly missed. We are thinking of all of you at this sad time and are sending our heartfelt condolences to you.
Love, Garth and Leanne
Dear Mardi, Patti, Joni, Wade and family,
I was blessed to be Don’s next-door neighbor for many years, and I will miss him greatly. He was a remarkable man in many ways, not the least of which was his ability to brighten my day whenever I had the good fortune to share a moment with him. I will always remember his kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity towards me and his obvious affection for friends and family.
My deepest sympathy for your loss.