Edward Erik JENSEN

JENSEN, FARRELL, STEPHENS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/25/2010 at 10:21:34

Edward Erik Jensen [Board of Directors of Goldfield Telephone Company]

June 13, 1945 -- July 15, 2010

Ed Jensen, 65, died on July 15 at Sheboygan Memorial Medical Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. His death was caused by a Dissecting Aortic Aneurysm. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 23 at Luther Memorial Church, 1201 Grandview Avenue in Des Moines. The family will be present at the church at 9 a.m. to greet friends and family. A visitation will be held at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street in Des Moines from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 22.

Ed was born in Ames, Iowa and moved to Allentown, PA with his parents during his high school years. He returned to Iowa in 1964 to attend Grand View College. Ed was a Vietnam Veteran and served in an armored helicopter unit of the 11th Armored Calvary, Blackhorse Division. He was Founder and CEO of Associated Computer Systems, Ltd., and was active in many organizations related to his career. He served advisory councils of IBM and AVNET. He retired from ACS last year. He was a member of Luther Memorial Church and was on the Board of Directors of the Goldfield Telephone Company. Formerly, he served on the Board of Trustees of Grand View University. Ed was recipient of the Grand View’s Distinguished Alumni Award and was awarded Sportscar Vintage Racing Association’s Driver of the Year for 2009. Ed was actively pursuing his love of racing. An active racer himself, he was working with Atlanta based Traqmate, a company that makes Geo/based Data Collection equipment for racecars and Bobby Rahal’s Legends of Motorsports. Ed continued to race his ’67 Z/28 Camaro at vintage races across the country. He was an avid NASCAR fan and supporter of the Iowa Speedway at Newton.

Ed is survived by his wife, Suzette; daughter, Laurel (Lance) Farrell of West Des Moines; grandchildren, Collin and Jocelyn; mother, Ruth Jensen of Ames; brothers, Richard (Jo) of St. Peter, MN, Carl (Ellie) of Loxahatchee, FL and David (Deb) of Saratoga, CA; sister-in-law, Celeste Comito; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Ed was preceded in death by his father, Erling N. Jensen and his daughter, Jennifer Lynne.

Memorial contributions may be made to Grand View University, 1200 Grandview Avenue, or Luther Memorial Church, 1201 Grandview Avenue.

http://www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com/services/services_detail.aspx?rid=7820

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SVRA's Ed Jensen passed away, and a memorial service is scheduled for Friday. Details are at the end of this post.

Edward Erik Jensen

Born: June 13, 1945 in Ames, Iowa to Ruth and Erling Jensen

Died: July 15, 2010

Brothers: Richard (Dick) Jensen, St. Peter, MN Carl Jensen, Loxahatchee, FL David Jensen, Campbell, CA

Married in 1968 to Suzette Stephens Celebrated 42 years of marriage on April 4

Served in the 11th Armored Cavalry, Black Horse Division from 1966 to 1968 Vietnam Veteran – 1967-68 – Helicopter Unit Two daughters:
Laurel Farrell (family will be at the Memorial Service) Husband Lance Farrell Grandchildren: Collin and Jocelyn Jennifer Lynne – died at the age of 16 in 1989

Attended Grand View College

Began work in data processing upon return from Vietnam in 1968 Founded Associated Computer Systems, Ltd. In 1980 Sold his company in July of last year - 2009

Began involvement with racing during high school years. Worked as a gofer in a transmission shop in Allentown, PA

Owner of shop gave first ride to Mario Andretti when Ed worked for him.

Spent many hours working with Jimmy Seidel who built sprint car engines in Allentown.

During college years at Grand View he “wrenched” for his brother Carl, who had a TR3 and raced in SCCA events.

Later built a Camaro with good friend Tom Grantham that Tom raced in SCCA.

Started attending sprint car races at Knoxville, IA in late 1970s when friends Jim and Sandra Rasmussen bought a sprint car. They began racing in World of Outlaw events with drivers Tim Green and Jeff Swindell. Ed traveled with family and friends from coast to coast to attend these racing events.

After a week long brother bonding event – driving school in Sonoma, CA. In 1989, Ed decided he wanted to “drive” instead of “wrench”. He then, with the blessings of his wife, purchased a 1967 Camaro Z28 from Young Chevrolet in Dallas, TX. He spent a year restoring the car and turning it into a group 6 car with the help of Steve Philipsen and Collector Motorsports.

Ed started racing his number 99 Camaro in 1990. One of his proudest moments was when he was awarded the SVRA Driver of the Year last October.

Ed was awarded the “Distinguished Alumni” from Grand View University. He served on the Board of Trustees of Grand View He was on the Board of Directors of the Goldfield Telephone Company. Over the years he served on numerous advisory panels and commissions for IBM and AVNET.

A Celebration of Ed’s life will be held on Friday, July 23, 2010 at Luther Memorial Church in Des Moines, Iowa. Visitation will be at 9 a.m. followed by a Memorial Service at 10 a.m. Lunch will be served at the church following the service. Luther Memorial Church, 1201 Grandview Avenue. The family requests Memorials in Ed’s memory be given to Luther Memorial Church or Grand View University at 1200 Grandview Avenue, Des Moines, IA. 50316

http://classicmotorsports.net/forum/classic-cars/ed-jensen-memorial-service/24481/page1/