Earl W. Jenson age 81 of Polson passed away on Monday July 21, 2008 at his home from natural causes. Earl was born to Carl Esklund & Grace Maxfield Jenson in Deer Lodge, Montana on November 11, 1926. Earl’s father worked for Ford Dealships and the construction of Kerr Dam as a carpenter. Earl’s mother taught school in North Dakota and Montana. Earl’s father died January 25, 1938. His mother died May 5, 1943. Earl attended school in Kinshella Camp near Whitefish and in Whitefish, Polson and St. Ignatius. Earl joined the Army Air Force in September 1945, serving in the military for 39 months. After the service he was employed by the State of Alaska for 25 years, mainly for truck weighing stations. He married Dorothy Bartholet in Douglas, Alaska on April 21, 1967. A son Carl was born April 30, 1968. The last position held was as a member of the Alaska State Troopers before retiring and returning to Polson in 1978.
Earl’s great love was collecting and trading license plates. He started in 1961 and has continued throughout his life making many good friends through this hobby. From 1974-1975 he was president of the Auto License Plate Collectors Association and also served as a Director of ALPCA both before and after that time. Other collectors will greatly miss him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his mother’s brothers and sisters, his father’s brother’s and sisters, cousins: Clyde Dawson, Lorne Heth, Dorothy Heth, Eleanor Conkle, Leitha Halverson, Shirley Ferrero, Mabel Schultz, and Myrtle Sturdevant.
His wife Dorothy of Polson, son Carl, and cousins Helen Quiggle, Roy Bohlman, Janet Dolleslager, Alyce Lindberg, Raymond Maxfield, Emma Jean Maris, and Dorothy Dudek survive Earl.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 from 9 am to 5 pm in the Grogan Funeral Home. Vigil services will be held at 7 pm in the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 10:30 am in the church with Father James Connor officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Lakeview Cemetery.