Mervin Jensen

Mervin Carlyle Jensen was born on September 7, 1926, to Dora and Marinus Jensen in Albert Lea.He died on January 29, 2025, at the Veterans facility in St. Cloud, MN, where he resided since April of 2024. During WWII, Mervin was drafted and joined the Marine Corps, serving in the Pacific Corridor. Upon discharge, he returned to Albert Lea and graduated from High School. An accomplished wrestler, he became Albert Lea’s first State Champion. 

He received an Education degree from the University of MN in 1952, where he continued his wrestling career. He lettered 3 years and was the 1951 team captain. He coached as an assistant for the U of M team in 1951 and 1952.

August 1952, he married Marcy Lauer in Minneapolis. His first teaching job was in Hampton, IA where he taught Physical Education and coached three sports. From there, he moved on to Stillwater high school, starting the wrestling program. He was honored to be inducted into Stillwater’s Hall of Fame.

He then to moved to Brainerd, where he took a position teaching and coaching at the high school. In later years of teaching, he was the work coordinator for the BHS Work Experience Program. He was a wrestling official, doing matches locally and tournaments in MN, IA, WI, and SD. He officiated at the MN State Tournament for several years. He is a member of the Brainerd High School Hall of Fame and was also honored by the MN Wrestling Coaches Association in 2018.

Outside of teaching, Merv was a very busy man. He and his wife owned and operated Little Pine Resort and sold bait and tackle to many stores throughout the lakes area. They also owned a flying service at the resort, where he piloted float plane rides for guests. 

Elected Justice of the Peace for Sylvan Township, he held court in the dining room. He was co-owner and head mechanic at Norbert’s Harley Davidson, Polaris, and Yamaha in Brainerd. They were actively involved in snowmobile racing and had some excellent racers. Merv and Marcy’s four sons were all taught at a young age what ‘hard work’ means. 

With the held of family and friends, a new home was built on Love Lake. Merv was a craftsman when it came to building and was always available to help our friends and neighbors with projects. Merv retired from teaching in 1978 when he and Marcy purchased a ‘Plywood MN’ store in Aberdeen, SD, operating it until 1990. After selling the store to son Bob, they went to Leech Lake, MN, staying for 2 years before coming back to the Brainerd area. Winters for many years were spent in South Padre, and then later in Mesa, AZ.

Merv was a member of the Crow Wing Flying Club, Aberdeen Flying Club, American Legion and Lutheran Church of the Cross. 

He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his wife, his sons, and several of his closet friends. He traveled all over MN, SD, MT, WY, WI, Canada and Alaska, on many adventures in the great outdoors.

Surviving Mervin are his sons, Jim (Janet), Mark (Karla), Bob (Deb), Grandchildren, Brian (Becky), Alan (Elizabeth), Kristine (Tyler), Kaley (Joe), Kaitlyn (Jon), Kaari (Matt), Jason, Stacey (Brandon), Derek (Kris), and Justin, several great grandchildren. his sister Marj, and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife Marcy, son Steve, Daughter inlaw Laurel, his parents, brothers Alfred, Harry, Fred, Clarence, and Kenneth, sisters Gen, Lucille, and Luzella.

Funeral Services will be held on May 16, 2025, at 9:00AM at Camp Ripley. Visitation will be at 12:30pm at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa, with a Memorial Service to follow at 1:30pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to Lutheran Church of the Cross and the American Legion.

Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.