Paul Jensen

Paul “Bud” Jensen, 89, died Feb. 11, 2015, at Heritage Place in Kalispell.

He was born Dec. 25, 1925, in Columbia Falls to John and Hattie (Wagner) Jensen.

Paul attended Bad Rock Elementary School and Columbia Falls High School. In his younger years, Paul worked the family farm and around the valley on threshing machines during harvest time.

He also worked as a logger and heavy equipment operator on the Hungry Horse Dam. He was hired at the Anaconda Aluminum Co. smelter in 1955, working first in heavy equipment and then in a security and EMT position, retiring in 1982.

Paul married Muriel McCorkle in 1991.

He loved to hunt and fish, and enjoyed everything the outdoors and Montana life has to offer. He spent many hours sitting beside his brother-in-law, Roy Anders, fishing and enjoying life. He taught everyone he could his fishing and hunting techniques. He also loved to garden and preserve.

Bud was a true Montanan in every sense, born, raised and a lifelong resident of the Flathead Valley. He will be remembered as a caring parent, grandparent, ambitious worker, avid outdoorsman and constant prankster. He could tell a good story but was even better at making them.

Everyone who knew him could quickly recount many stories requiring the crack of a smile. He had a contagious and warm demeanor and loved people. In his retirement, he was known for helping others and always had a project going in his shop.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia; and his sister, Wilma Speer.

He is survived by his wife, in Columbia Falls; son Dan Jensen and wife Mary, daughter Judy Ivers and husband Larry, and son Roy Jensen and wife Lana; eight grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; sisters Eda Anders and Lola Jensen, of Columbia Falls; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will take place at the Mountain View Mennonite Church, in Creston on Monday, Feb. 16, 2015 at 11 a.m. Visitation at the church will begin at 9:30 a.m. until time of the service. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Kalispell.