Gene Jenson, 73, of Ralph, SD, passed away at his home on Thursday, April 19, 2012.

Funeral Services for Gene will be at 11:00 a.m. at the Ralph Lutheran Church on Tuesday, April 24, 2012. Pastor Stephanie Swanson and Pastor Galen Strand will officiate with burial to follow in the Ralph Lutheran Cemetery. There will be a family and friends service on Monday, April 23, 2012 also at the Ralph Lutheran Church beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Gene Jenson was born March 21st, 1939 to Hans and Bernice (Anderson) Jenson. He grew up in Ralph with his siblings Jerry and Judy. Gene attended grade school at Ralph School. Growing up, he worked for various neighbors, as well as the Ralph store and hauling gravel in Rapid City.
Bob & Mary Parks were best friends with Gene's family and he worked for them off and on throughout the years. He went to work for them steady in 1959, but also leased and operated the family farm which was homesteaded by Hans' mother in 1912. In 1961 he married Louise Tennant and they had two sons, Bill and Ron. He continued to work for the Parks'; through dedication and hard work, they formed the F+ Ranch partnership in 1974. This partnership continued until Bob & Mary's passing. Gene and Louise became owners of the ranch and Ron & Starla joined them in 1985.
Gene had a natural ability to operate machinery and spent many hours in the D-6 CAT helping neighbors with digging basements, including one for the Ralph Church. Another benefit to the community is the Ralph Rural Fire Department, which he took part in organizing and maintaining throughout his lifetime.
Gene took great pride in caring for the ranch and loved feeding his cattle. He was also a good farmer and cherished the times that Curtis and Jerry came to help him put the crop in. He enjoyed just checking "things" over to be sure everything was running smoothly on the ranch. Even though he gave Louise a hard time about her sheep, Gene was very proud of the time and nurturing care she provided towards them. He also enjoyed the wildlife that the ranch had to offer, including the many hunts with his family and friends. His caring heart never went unnoticed. Gene offered his loving characteristics by being a caretaker for people closest to him, especially his mother Bernice, the Parks' family, and by providing brotherly-love to Linda Stuchal (Stolt). He opened his home to many friends and family, including numerous nieces and nephews.
Gene loved his grandkids Lacy, Cody, Billie, Josi, Amanda, Jace and Jarett. One of his favorite pastimes was playing a game of Pitch over a cup of coffee with them all. He followed their sporting events and was very proud of their accomplishments. He took great pride in flying a new flag for each of Lacy's deployments with the 189th. A great-grandchild Ava joined the family in December of 2011. He would check daily for new pictures of her. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Gene is survived by his wife Louise, brother Jerry (Agnes), his children: Bill (Carol) and Ron (Starla), 7 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Judy, and infant brother.

Krebsbach Funeral Services of Bowman are in charge of the arrangements.