Michael Larry Jensen, 47, Drayton, N.D., was called to Heaven on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014, surrounded by his loving family after an inspiring and courageous battle with cancer. Michael was born Feb. 1, 1967, in Hutchinson, Minn. He was raised in Teien Township on Oakdale Farm by Robbin, Minn. Mike was confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Skjeberg Lutheran Church and in 1985 he graduated from Kennedy High School. He was united in marriage to Jackie Bogestad on Dec. 1, 1990, at Maria Lutheran Church, Kennedy, Minn. Michael started farming with his father at the young age of 8-years-old. Farming was his passion. He worked his entire life to grow the farm and loved working along side his younger brother. He was so very proud of his work. Mike also worked many winters at Minn-Dak Seed. He served on several boards including the Sugar Beet Growers Association, Skjeberg Lutheran Church board serving as president a few years, Kittson Marshall Rural Water Board, Drayton Curling Club Gaming Board, and Teien Township Board. He also coached basketball and baseball for several years and served as the Skjeberg Lutheran Church Youth Advisor. When he wasn't farming he loved spending time in the outdoors. There were three seasons for Mike – hunting, fishing and farming. He loved his family with his whole heart and cherished every moment with them. He took great pride in being "Unca" Mike. There were no strangers in Michael's life, he made an impact on every person who crossed his path through his kindness, generosity, and humor-filled character. He inspired and will be missed by so many people. FAILURE WAS NOT AN OPTION and Michael never gave up. He fought to his last breath. He was a fighter – his strong heart, tenacity, positive attitude, love for life, and his unfailing faith in God carried him through many challenges. A special thank you goes out to the numerous medical professionals who became some of his dearest friends and to all of Team Jensen who helped brighten his days and carry him and his entire family through this difficult battle with cancer. He is in Heaven waiting for his loving bride, Jackie; his daughter and son, Katie and Mitchell, who were his pride and joy; mother Shirley; sister Christine (Tracy Giles); brother Gary (Kari Jo) and their children Trapper, Hawken and Aurora; brother by choice, Joshua Coleman; aunts, Erma Raney and Harriet Johnson, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and his millions of friends. There to greet him in heaven were his father, Larry; grandparents, Harry and Amelia Jensen and Clarence and Ethel Holman; uncles, Clarence "Butch" Holman, Harris Johnson, Harland Hedman; aunt, Shirley Holman; several loving family members and friends, and his many loyal pets. Stewert Scott said, "When you die it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live." Michael most certainly won the fight in the manner in which he lived. Visitation will be Thursday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m., with a prayer service beginning at 7:30 p.m. A celebration of Michael's life will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29. Both services will be held at Skjeberg Lutheran Church, rural Drayton. Friday's celebration will be held outdoors so please bring a lawn chair or your choice of seating. Pallbearers are Rodney Boll, Chip Olson, Marc Langen, Tim Rynning, Noel Peterson, Jens Jauhola, Lynn Johnson, Gary Grundstrom, Greg Osowski, Marty Hart, Paul Deubner, and Barry Woinarowicz. Honorary Pallbearers are Mike's Team: "TEAM JENSEN".