Dora Mae Jensen

of Oakdale, California, formerly of Wall, South Dakota, died on Friday, October 18, 2024
in Oakdale with her family beside her at the age of 96

Dora Mae Jensen died on October 18, 2024 in Oakdale, CA with family beside her as she passed. Dora Mae was born September 15, 1928 in Pierre, SD to Roy and Olga Gravatt. As a young girl she recalled moving west near Viewfield, SD in what she referred to as “The Wagon Train West“, driving cattle and horses herded by her father and brother Jack, along with her mother, Olga and sister, Helen. Two horse-drawn wagons provided the transportation for the 19 day trip across the open prairie. One morning the family awoke to a rattlesnake perched atop the bed covers. That snake did not have a good day.

Dora Mae moved numerous times with her family when she was young, with fond memories of the Fish Ranch along the Belle Fourche River, where she enjoyed the great outdoors, wildlife, meadowlarks and the smell of fresh-cut cedar, especially. For a few years, she attended a one-room school several miles from their homestead, making the daily journey on horseback. Dora Mae graduated from New Underwood, SD high school in 1945, She received a teaching permit from Black Hills Teachers College and taught at Elm Springs, SD and near Wall, SD where she met Lyle Marlin Jensen. They were married May 22, 1948 in Rapid City, SD and resided in Gann Valley, SD for some years. In 1954 they moved to Wall and started a radio and television shop. In 1960 they purchased a trailer court which provided housing for the missile site construction folks.

Dora Mae moved to Escalon, CA in 2011 where she enjoyed watching her great grandkids participate in a variety of activities. She spent 13 precious years with Gale and his wife, Tina, nearby.

Dora Mae was a member of the Methodist Church and greatly enjoyed “old people and kids”. Marlin and Dora Mae were members of the Sons of Norway and enjoyed dancing with the Norwegian group in Rapid City. Christmas was her favorite time of the year and she looked forward to decorating her tree and remembering what each of the ornaments meant. Only a month before her death, on her 96th birthday, a lot of her family traveled to California to celebrate with her. It should be noted that her son, Gale, had purchased a motorized “mobility scooter” during the summer, much to her delight. Unfortunately, the authorities had to step in and suspend her driving privileges after she had terrorized the nursing home residents. There is now a scooter for sale.

Dora Mae is survived by sons Gary of Playa del Coco, Costa Rica, Gale (Tina) of Valley Home, CA and daughter Robin Feller (Nick) of Englewood, CO, as well as grandchildren Brandt Jensen, Tia Wilson (David), Holly Page (Scott), Heidi Rech (Richard), Jeremy Jensen (Lindsay) and Nicholas Feller (Tiger), great-grandchildren Jestin Jensen, Tavish Jensen, Kiera Wilson, Bella Wilson, Madelyn Page, Colton Page, Daphne Rech, Sadie Rech, Olivia Jensen, Vivian Jensen, sister-in-law Donna Gravatt and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Dora Mae was preceded in death by her husband Marlin, parents Roy and Olga Gravatt, sister Helen Gabbert, brothers Jack and John Gravatt, daughter-in-law Kathy Jensen, nieces Nancy Silva, Gerri Anne Stevens and Cherry Denke.

Dora Mae will be laid to rest with Marlin at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD at a later date.

Service Details

Guest Book

My deepest sympathy to your family in the loss of your mother. Enjoyed our visits after church here in Wall. So glad she got to enjoy her family in CA tbese last years!
   ~ Charlene Kjerstad Wall. SD (10/23/2024)
Dora Mae was such a sweet lady. My mom & I lived in the trailer court for 3 years during the school months. I always enjoyed going over to deliver the rent check, she always had time to visit, a cup of something to drink & something sweet to snack on. She was such a kind soul! And I remember her Christmas decorations, she did love to decorate! My thoughts & prayers are with you all during this sad time. Gods blessings to you all.
   ~ Cindy (Gabriel) Nuzum Wall, SD (10/23/2024)
I met Dora and Alyse at the 555 AAA AW reunions, my Dad was Lyles Lt and then Captain of Battery D. He had the highest respect of the men, “they were all good soldiers!” To hear is such things as wagon trains and what these people did thru the depression and war is more than amazing as we look at a jet or cell phone. JW
   ~ John Warmington Saint Augustine, Fl (12/2/2024)
Robin and family, sorry to hear about your Mom. She and my Mom had become very close several years back. Take care.
   ~ Bruce Kjerstad SHERIDAN (10/22/2024)
Gale and Gary, sorry to hear of your mom's passing. Thoughts and prayers.
   ~ Tim & Peggy Lester Austin, TX (10/21/2024)
So many good memories of Dora Mae and Marlin! What Great People!! They were always talking about their children and grandchildren and loved you all so much. Our condolences to you all. Wayne and Gwen Davis
   ~ Gwen Davis Wall, SD (10/31/2024)
So happy to have known your folks. I thought of your parents every time I turned the corner by their house and headed north on Creighton Road to visit mine. They all made Wall a place to call home.
   ~ Dwight and Melanie Flatt Chandler, Arizona (10/23/2024)
Dora was such a spunky lady. I got to know her when I was in college and my mom and grandma were in the Wall quilt guild with her. Retreats were so much fun with her.
   ~ Moneik Stephens Black Hawk (10/29/2024)
My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
   ~ Sharon Sundquist Culbertson Rapid City (10/27/2024)
Always enjoyed Dora when she came to visit her mom at the nursing home. What a sweet lady. Remember all you memories.
   ~ Karen Snyder Philip, South Dakota (10/23/2024)