Douglas Jensen

Douglas “Doug” Archie Jensen, age 87 or Redwood Falls and Apache Junction, AZ, passed away peacefully surrounded by family July 10, 2025. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 17, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church in Redwood Falls. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16 at Redwood Valley Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Doug Jensen was born in Morgan, MN to Archie and Lilian (Meierding) Jensen on August 29, 1937. He was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist Church in Sleepy Eye. Doug was an athlete at an early age and competed in football, basketball, baseball, track and field throughout his school years. He also worked with his father hauling milk from local dairy farms to the creamery. He graduated from Sleepy Eye High School in 1955. Doug continued his education at Mankato State University where he earned his teaching and then counseling degrees and competed in the long jump on the MSU track team. Doug started his career as a high school social studies teacher, school counselor, and coach in Nicollet, MN. One of his favorite accomplishments was his football team being undefeated in his final year of coaching. He remained very close to many of his players and students throughout his entire life.

One of Doug’s primary passions has been horses since the day he met his beloved wife of 60+ years, Kay Diane Palmer, at a trail ride. The two were married on July 25, 1964, at the First Presbyterian Church in Redwood Falls. They passed on their love of horses to their children and grandchildren. The entire family has been active in the Western Saddle Clubs Association, the South Central Saddle Clubs Association, and several saddle clubs. Doug was proud to serve as a WSCA Judge, Board of Directors’ President, and MN State Fair Ring Steward for many years. He and Kay were well respected leaders in the horse show world. They were named SCSCA Horse People of the Year, the WSCA Championship Show was dedicated in their honor, and Doug received special recognition for his 50+ years of devoted service to WSCA.

After moving back to Redwood Falls with his family, Doug became a farmer and ran a trucking company. He enjoyed playing cards, cheering on all of his favorite sports teams, attending horse shows, and wintering in Arizona where he would sit on the deck in his rocking chair and talk to everyone who passed by. He also made sure to attend as many of his granddaughters’ sports and school events as he could.

Doug is survived by his wife Kay; children: Lynne (Dean) Jensen-Nelson, Lori (Paul) Jensen Hagert and Lacy Kieffer; granddaughters: Lily and Lana Kieffer; and many friends and relatives. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Gloria Schwerzler.

To honor Doug’s lifelong passion for WSCA, in lieu of flowers, the family is accepting memorial contributions that will be used to create programs to encourage more people to engage in the nonprofit organization in a variety of ways.