Gary Wayne Jensen

Gary Wayne Jensen, age 83 of Yankton, SD passed away early Monday, March 16, 2026 at Sister James Care Center, Yankton, SD. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Onsite Crematory, Yankton, SD is assisting with the service details. Online condolences may be sent at: www.okfhc.com.

Gary Wayne Jensen went to eternal rest on March 16th at Majestic Bluffs in Yankton South Dakota.

Arrangements and burial will be at a later date fall of 2026.

Gary was born in Vermillion to Eiler and Margret Jensen in 1943. Gary lived his entire life in Gayville, Meckling and Vermillion area.

Gary grew up on a farm South West of Meckling with 8 siblings. After graduation from Meckling High School, Gary married his high school sweetheart Cynthia Orr in 1962 at the Pleasant Valley Lutheran Church. They celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary last July.

Gary started farming with his father-in-law Joe Orr, north of Vermillion. Gary farmed until the early 80’s and at that time he went to work for the South Dakota Geological Survey for almost 20 years as a civil-engineering technician. He traveled the state working on many subsurface exploration projects.

Upon retirement Gary and Cynthia moved back to a small acreage near Yankon. Gary started farming again, bringing home tractors and a wide array implements, to manage and maintain his 10 acres of gardens and orchard. Gary and Cynthia were one of the biggest Gayville-Volin boosters for many years. Following all their grandchildren’s extra-curricular activities.

Gary was a quiet man of many talents. He was a welder, fabricator, wood worker, quilter and plantsman. Gary could be best described as a “percussive” engineer. If you can’t fix it with this hammer, get a bigger one.

Gary will be greatly missed, but his contributions are all around us and will be remembered and cherished for a long time.

Preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Norman (Betty), Nels, Carl, sisters Alice (Henry) Hoesing, and Gladys (Elmer) Carlson, and great-grandchild Oliver Jensen.

Survived by wife Cynthia and sons Scott (Susan) and Jeffrey (Kathy). Siblings Ellis (Mary Ellen), Robert (Sharron) and Marvin (Connie) and sister-in-law Mary Jensen. Grandchildren Trever, Zane, DaNeila (Bova), Thaya Jensen, Chaleb, Carissa Lane, Matthew Lane and 5 great-grandchildren.