Donald Edward “Doc” Jensen, the son of Brandt Menholt Jensen and Josephine Barbara Angelovic, was born in Rock Springs, Wyo., on May 23, 1934, and passed away on March 10, 2021, while in his tractor getting ready to feed hay to his cows. Doc was a third-generation Wyoming rancher and lived his entire life on the ranch outside of Boulder, Wyo., on Pocket Creek, a ranch that has been in the family for over 100 years. Doc and his son Jerry carried on the tradition of what Doc and his dad, Brandt, took pride in and were known for. They developed a herd of straightbred Hereford cattle, which received praise for its appearance. In 2003, disaster struck when Doc found out that some of his herd had tested positive for brucellosis, likely transmitted from elk in a feedground adjacent to the property at Muddy. Although the entire herd needed to be depopulated, Doc, Marilyn and Jerry started over and rebuilt the herd over the ensuing years.
Doc was a stubborn Dane who did not let the amputation of a leg due to poor circulation two years ago keep him down. Although he was never as fully mobile as he had been, Marilyn and Jerry helped him get around and do most of what he really wanted to do. Tim and Sally researched options and Jerry and grandson, Jesse Webb, figured out how to configure chair lifts for two of his tractors so he could be lifted up and into them. That made it possible for him to feed his cattle, work in the hay fields and drag the meadows. After Doc was fitted with a prosthetic leg and was able to get into his truck and drive, Jerry said he used most of the diesel fuel at the ranch during that summer and fall. He had places to go and things to do! Pops always said he wanted to keep at it until the end, and that he did.
Doc is survived by his wife Marilyn and sister Mary Kay Mitchell of Boulder, Wyo., son Jerry of Boulder, Wyo., daughter Sally of Morgan, Utah, daughter Susan “Tally” Newman (Randy) of Baker City, Ore., son Tim (Jennifer) of Draper, Utah, and daughter Kim (Dwayne Joseph) of Palmdale, Calif. Doc has seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, with a sixth on the way. He is also survived by nephew Thomas Mitchell and niece Dianna Crawford (Doug), as well as many grand- and great-grandnephews and nieces and cousins. Doc and Marilyn had recently celebrated their 65th year of marriage.
Doc was an avid reader and would often be reading two to three books that he had in every vehicle, tractor and by his recliner and bed. He enjoyed being around his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and would always have a smile on his face as he watched them and playfully teased them. He had a quick wit and was fun to tease in return. You knew you had him when you saw that grin on his face and that twinkle in his eyes.
At Doc’s request, there will be no formal service. The family will gather in the summer to spread his ashes over at Muddy, a place that he favored for its peacefulness.
