Harold Dean Jensen

Harold Dean Jensen

Harold Dean Jensen passed quietly and peacefully into the arms of his savior on April 15, 2026 at 4:45 p.m. He was undoubtedly greeted with “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Harold “Dean” Jensen was born November 22, 1930 in or near Sheffield, Illinois. He grew up on various farms in the area. Dean was the oldest of eight children. Much of his youth was spent without indoor plumbing or electricity.

Dean graduated from Manlius high school in 1948 (where he was in basketball, football, track, chorus, band and the senior play). Dean excelled in physics. He was the first of his family line to attend college. Dean graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering (1952 ish).

After a two-year stint in the army (Italy and Salzburg Austria), Dean took a job as an engineer with General Motors’ Detroit Diesel Allison Division where he worked for 33 years. After retiring from General Motors, Dean took a job as a groundskeeper at Fox Hills Golf Course where he worked for another 21 years. Dean loved golf, also basketball, football, baseball and recently watching Crew (rowing).

Dean married his college sweetheart Sandra Elizabeth Moore Jensen (1934 – 2009). They had four children. They lived in Detroit, then in Livonia Michigan until 1971, and then moved to a 3 acre parcel near South Lyon, where Dean had a house built (he finished it). They grew apples (22 trees), a very large vegetable garden, raised 4 horses and an assortment of cats and dogs.

Dean lived his life serving others at every opportunity. He never drove past a broken-down car on the highway without stopping to offer help. While camping on vacations, he would seek out the campground hosts and help them build picnic tables or other tasks. Friends, neighbors, and complete strangers were all treated with respect and offered help in any way possible. Church members describe him as “a man who wears his faith on his sleeve.”

Dean delivered meals on wheels to seniors until he was 88 years old. At that time, all of his “customers” were many years younger than him.

Dean was also very active in the New Hudson Methodist Church where he served in pretty much every capacity including several stints as the chairman of the board of trustees, treasurer, Sunday School teacher, MYF (youth group) leader....

Dean spent several decades involved with Active Faith, a multi-community/multi-Church food pantry that now provides food for roughly 500 families in the South Lyon area. Dean helped organize Active Faith, worked tirelessly to collect and distribute food and necessities, and served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for many years.

Dean was very active in the South Lyon Kiwanis club, a volunteer community service organization. He served as the club president for at least one term. Most long-term South Lyon residents will remember his smiles, greetings, and jokes while buying a Christmas tree from the Kiwanis tree lot.

Dean and Sandy were very active in the South Lyon Area Players (a community theater group) for several decades. Dean played many different roles including several leads and even a grandfather clock. He also worked on set building, and helped with lighting and sound.

Offspring:

Brian (Ewha) Jensen – Garden City, Michigan. Granddaughter Mary Jensen (34) – Detroit Michigan.

Brenda (Bob) Mobarak – Ypsilanti, Michigan. Deceased June 2023.

Barry (Donna) Jensen– Grosse Ile, Michigan. Grandchildren: Cassie Dean (34) (Tim) and great grandchild Charlotte Dean (4 weeks) – Aurora, Colorado; Cjersti Jensen (34) – Arlington Virginia; Kyla Jensen (31) – Grosse Ile, Michigan; Donnie Jensen (30) – Saratoga Springs, New York; Quentin (Megan) Jensen (26) – Warren, Michigan. Upon marriage, Granddaughter Cassie and husband Tim changed their last name to “Dean” in honor of Grandpa Dean Jensen.

Brad (Peggy) Jensen - Grabenstatt, Germany. Granddaughter Lyla (11).

Dog: Ellie (11) – Grosse Ile, Michigan. Ellie and Dean were inseparable. She misses him dearly.

Dean is also survived by three of his brothers and one sister (Marlin, Stan, Cliff, and Diane).

The family is planning a memorial service on Saturday, May 23rd , 2026 at 11:00am at New Hudson United Methodist Church, 56730 Grand River Ave, New Hudson, MI 48165.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to honor Dean's life may be made to: Active Faith Community Services or New Hudson United Methodist Church