Dwaine Jenson

Dwaine Jenson, age 76, of Erskine, MN, passed away on Sunday, April 11th, at Essentia Health Hospital in Fosston. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16th, at Grace Lutheran Church in Erskine with the Rev. Michael Sletto officiating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery, rural Erskine, at a later date. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service on Thursday, April 15th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Erskine. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Due to pandemic restrictions, the visitation will be “walk-through” with mask use required at both the visitation and funeral. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Erskine and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.

Dwaine Francis Jenson was born on November 27, 1944 in Neche, North Dakota. He was the second of five children to parents Clayton and Della (Karel) Jenson. He grew up in Erskine and attended Erskine High School, graduating in 1962. Following high school, he worked road construction for S & S Construction in Grafton, ND where he met his lifetime companion Geraldine Shannon. Dwaine was united in marriage to Geraldine Shannon on March 20, 1965 at the United Methodist Church in Fosston.

After their marriage, they lived in Chicago for 8 years where Dwaine worked for H & S Trucking hauling sheetrock and where they began their family and had two daughters. Dwaine traded the big city to move back to Erskine where his heart belonged so he could be closer to his family and continue his love for farming.

On June 1, 1973, Dwaine and his brother, Allen, went into business together forming Erskine Pallet Company. They operated the Pallet Company for 27 years until their retirement on January of 2001. Dwaine continued the family tradition of farming by buying the family homestead and successfully farmed for many years.

He was an active member of the Erskine community and took leadership roles with the  Erskine School Board and Erskine Methodist Church Board.

After his retirement, Dwaine loved to collect and restore classic cars. His pride and joy was his huge collection of classic cars and pickups.  He never missed his annual trip to the “Back to the 50’s” Car Show in St. Paul. He spent many weekends with his friends attending numerous car shows in the area and was an active member of the Highway 2 Cruisers and the Crookston Classic Cruisers. In addition, Dwaine had a large collection of pedal cars and tractors.  Spending time with friends and sharing a beverage with them was a special time for Dwaine.  He loved to go fishing with the boys at Lake of the Woods and looked forward to spending time and sharing memories with his lifelong friends.

Dwaine enjoyed his time with family. He enjoyed watching his daughters play basketball and volleyball during their high school years.  His greatest joy was watching and attending his grandchildren’s sporting events and was proud to share in their accomplishments.  He simply liked having family around and listening to all the stories about his grandchildren and looked forward to his daily visits with his brother Allen. Holidays were a very special time for him as his entire family would gather for meals and special occasions.

Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Geraldine, of Erskine; two daughters and their families, Bernice (Kevin) McKeever of Erskine and their children, Marshall of Erskine, Madison of St. Paul, MN, and Mariah of Moorhead, MN; and Rebecca “Becky” (Darin) Itzen of Detroit Lakes, MN and their children, Jacob of Wayzata, MN and Blake of Detroit Lakes, MN. Also surviving is one brother, Allen (Liz) Jenson; and sister-in-law, Nancy Jenson, all of Erskine. Nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant granddaughter, Taylor Bernice; two brothers, Daryl and Curt; and one sister, Ardis Thompson. Blessed be his memory.