Carl T. Jensen
On September 29, 1918, a baby boy was born to George J. Jensen and Mary Clarkson Jensen; Carl T. entered this world at 12:05 am in Boise, Idaho, at St. Alphonsus Hospital. We have to think that it was a beautiful, fall day with brilliant colors of red, yellow, orange and brown. Carl was named after his Uncle Carl and took Theodore as his middle name after President Roosevelt. The family resided in Jerusalem Valley, Idaho. He lost an older brother early on but was joined in later years by his brothers John, Donald, Edgar, Vern, and his sisters, Elinor and Margit. The family was raised in a conservative, Lutheran home and learned early on that respect, integrity and consideration of others was of utmost importance. They were a wonderful family unit!
Carl was born with his work clothes on---he helped his parents in so many ways and was a constant protector of his siblings. He began driving around the age of six and continued to do so until the ripe old age of 97. The local sheriff presented him with a driver’s license shortly after a license was required in 1935---no test required for him as he had been driving for many years.
Dad attended grade school in Jerusalem---many times he, Johnny and Donald would ride “old Babe,” to and from the little one room school which was several miles from home and of course, “uphill” both directions! Dad and Johnny stayed out of high school for two years on a family hardship and then went back, boarding at the Oxford Hotel and graduating from Boise High in 1940. During his senior year he was an appointed chaperone to take a group of students to Yellowstone National Park on a field trip. His father provided a flatbed truck with rails and everyone got on board. Carl was the designated driver---the trip was long and hard as there were very few paved roads. They camped out along the way and enjoyed the wonders of the Park.
As a young adult, Carl held a variety of jobs, mostly working with his dad on the family farm and sawmill. They also worked in the local mines and had a few claims themselves. In March of 1941, he got tangled up in a compressor driveline and suffered injuries to his back and leg. In June, the US Army drafted him but because of his injuries he was put on “hold.” When World War II broke out Carl and Johnny were hired by Morrison-Knudson to go to Wake Island; they ended up in Honolulu in February, 1942, and will never forget the devastation they witnessed at Pearl Harbor---the Arizona was sunk and lying on its side and the Oklahoma was upside down. They settled in to help with the project at Red Hill. Dad operated a jackhammer, drilling and blasting solid rock to create what would eventually become an underground fuel, storage space. While in Honolulu he met the “most beautiful lady,” his future wife, Dorothy, who worked at Benson-Smith’s Drug Store. When his job ended in 1943, he told her good-bye for now and set sail for Boise. He would be back!
By law he had to report to the draft board again and selected the Navy. He reported to the Farragut Naval Training Station in Farragut, Idaho. After six weeks of training he received an Honorable Medical Discharge because of his asthma. He checked back into the civil service status and was told that the job he had prior to his draft was still open so they sent him to the Mere Island Navy Yard in California where he worked as a machinist for six weeks before getting passage back to Honolulu. Carl and Dorothy were married in Honolulu. They started their family there with Carole and Carl. In 1945, they moved back to Boise, Idaho, where Patty was born. In 1954, they moved to the Big Sky Country to pursue and continue their logging dreams. After a while they settled in Manhattan and added a son, Bob.
Carl led a full life---a few heartaches, not many regrets, an abundance of good memories and a lasting sense of humor. After Dorothy died in 1977, he traveled extensively throughout the U.S. visiting relatives and friends. He also became a school bus driver for Douma Transfer who had the contract for Manhattan Public Schools. He enjoyed driving various classes on their field trips and the team buses as he had grandchildren participating in sports. Upon retirement from that he continued to do mechanic work for the locals and enjoyed a cup of coffee at The Garden Café.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, six of his siblings and some of their spouses, his beloved wife Dorothy and his son-in-law, Loy R. Carroll. He is survived by his sister, Elinor Carter; his sister-in-law Nilene Jensen; four children, Carole Carroll, Carl E. Jensen, Patty (Dave) Hebner, Bob (Wendi) Jensen; grandchildren, Rans (Rhonda) Carroll, Heather (Vince) Konynenbelt, Danielle Carroll, Brian (Amber) Jensen, Carl Scott (Cheryl) Jensen, Stephanie Jensen, Trevor (Brooklyn) Jensen, Braden Jensen, Cassidee (Ryan) Bergstrom, Mikyah (Jordan) Jarvis, McKenzie Jensen; 14 great grandchildren; 17 great, great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Carl loved his family above all else.
Dad passed away on October 19, in Silverton, Idaho. He celebrated his 100th birthday in September and enjoyed a fantastic party in his honor. The Bible verse for October 19,was John 16:33: “ I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.” Our Dad has overcome this world and is resting at the feet of Jesus. Special thanks to all of you for your kind love and support through the years and to his family at Good Samaritan Society in Silverton, Idaho, for surrounding Dad and his faithful companion, Snoopy with love and care every day. A Memorial Service will be announced at a later date. Memorials in his honor can be made to the Manhattan Area Historical Society and Museum, PO Box 800, Manhattan, MT 59741.