John Jensen Obituary

John Lewis Jensen passed peacefully on Monday, July 14, 2025, he was 87 years old. He was born March 20, 1938, in North Platte, Nebraska, to Lewis Chrasten Jensen and Ruth (Hawkins) Jensen following a spring blizzard.

John Lewis Jensen has been a rancher and a cowboy all his life, all 87 years. John was raised in the Nebraska Sandhills of Arthur County and has lived there his entire life, except for college. John became the man of the house at only 5 years old, when his father was killed in a tragic accident involving a team of horses and a hay sled. Along with his mother Ruth and his older sister Kaye, they worked diligently to keep the ranch going. John assumed full duties of the ranch when he returned from college in 1960 and lived in the sod house his father built on the family homestead. The Jensen Ranch celebrated 100 years in 2013.

John attended a one-room schoolhouse just east of the ranch, riding his horse to school. He graduated from Arthur High School in 1956 and graduated from Chadron State College in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science. He participated on the college rodeo team. After graduation he returned to the ranch and married Beverly Kicken June 12, 1960. To that union three boys were born, John Chrasten (JC) in 1961, Deon Lewis in 1966 and Cameron Ray in 1976.

John and Beverly began breeding horses in 1963. That became John’s main hobby, raising and training outstanding registered Quarter Horses. Beverly passed in May 1979 after a battle with breast cancer.

John married Shari Pound in 1987. For 38 years they have not only enjoyed ranch life at the Jensen Ranch, they enjoyed traveling to steer ropings, fishing, Gideon conventions and sightseeing across the US. They especially enjoy watching their grandkids compete in horse events with horses that evolved from the Jensen Ranch breeding program.

John believed in being involved and active in his community. Locally, John served as a Deacon at the Arthur Baptist Church, served on the Arthur School Board and as an Arthur County Commissioner. He served on the Arthur County Fair Board, as a 4-H leader and a youth rifle instructor. John was a 32-year member of Gideon International and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. He served on the Production Credit Association board of directors, served on the Twin Platte Natural Resources District board from 1984 to 1996 and in 2019, Jensen Ranch were awarded the Tree Planting Award. He was a past member of the Nebraska State Rodeo Association, a founding member and served as President of the Nebraska Steer Roping Association, he was a director of the Wyoming Steer Roping Association and a member of the Senior Steer Roping Association and is a PRCA Gold Card holder. John was inducted into the Nebraska Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2021.

John has seen much change come to Nebraska, the Sandhills, ranching and the cowboy way of life, but one thing never changed, for John – there wasn’t anything better than throwing your leg over a good horse, preferably one you raised and trained, and simply enjoying the day horseback.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Ruth Jensen, his first wife Beverly, his toddler son, Cameron, his only sister Kaye Frye, and his step-son, DJ Went.

Survivors include his wife of 38 years, Shari Pound Jensen, his two sons, JC (Jana) Jensen, Deon (Candy) Jensen, grandchildren Jada (Cody) Jensen Nye, John Cameron Jensen, Molly (Jared Gaines) Jensen, Tanna (Dustin) Jensen Nelson and Adam (Jessica Shafer) Quinn.

A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 2:00 PM at The Arthur Baptist Church in Arthur, Nebraska with Mathew Wright DVM officiating.

Memorials have been established in John’s name to the Arthur Baptist Church in Arthur, Nebraska or to Gideon International by going to www.gideons.org or to the Donor's choice.

Condolences can be left by going to www.drauckerfh.com.

Services will be live-streamed and be watched by going to www.drauckerfh.com.

Draucker Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.