Elling M. Jensen, 81, of Esmond, ND,  died Sunday July 19th, 2009, at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck.  Graveside services will be  Friday, July 24th, 2009, 2:30PM at Rosehill Cemetery in Esmond, ND, with Pastor David Walters officiating, followed by a time of sharing and fellowship at the Esmond Alumni Center.  Military Rites will be accorded by the Esmond VFW Post #4251. There will be no visitation.  The Nelson Funeral Home of Maddock is in charge of the arrangements.

Elling Matt Jensen was born June 12, 1928, near Esmond, ND to Walter and Emily (Herman) Jensen.  He was raised in the Esmond area and graduated in 1946 from the Esmond Public School.  Elling  farmed, raising potatoes and cattle until entering the US Army at Fort Riley, KS in 1953.  He served with the Transportation Corp in Korea until he was honorably discharged in 1955. Elling returned to Esmond and continued to farm. In 1960,  Elling passed the civil service exam and was appointed the mail carrier for route one out of Esmond.  He retired from full time service 1998 and then subbed for several years.  Elling married Cecile "Evie" Wehrli on December 20, 1986 at Harvey, ND.  She died April 25th, 2003.  He continued to make his home in Esmond until his death.

Elling was a member of the Esmond VFW Post #4251.  He enjoyed photography, reading, carpenter work and painting.

He is survived by a number of cousins and many friends.  Elling was preceded in death by his parents and wife.



Condolences:

I thought Elling was the most "gentlemanest" man I had met in a very long time. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting and caring for him while a patient at St. Alexius Hospital on 4SW. He was such an interesting conversationalist and I had a difficult time exciting his room because I was so interested in his topic speaking. I had promised him an article on my hometown in Montana, Wibaux, and was unable to deliver it due to his untimely death. In a certain sort of way, he probably avoided alot of misery of the treatment of esophageal cancer. . . . . . . God bless his soul and my world is a bit better for having met him. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Angie, RN at St. A's.

Angie Ross