Wallace "Wally" Jensen

Wallace "Wally" Quentin Jensen, age 78, passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2024, surrounded by his family. He was born November 27, 1945 in Pittsburg, Kansas to Quentin Eugene Jensen and Lorene Isabella Wallace.

As a young man, Wally's favorite classes were photography and architectural drafting; he dreamed of being another Frank Lloyd Wright. In the reality of college in the 1960’s, however, he determined that a career in construction rather than architecture would be his future, and graduated with his Bachelor of Science in building construction and design from Pittsburg State University in 1967. He started immediately at Eby Construction as a Field Engineer, ultimately retiring as a Senior Estimator with 40 years of service. Wally prided himself that "I never had a work title that I asked for. My growth was based upon my efforts and those being recognized by others." He has been described by several as being a kind and gentle teacher that wanted to ensure his charges were well trained and was eager to share his knowledge to those that were willing to learn and listen. He was determined to be successful and would leave a legacy of gratitude, appreciation, and dedication for others to follow – often reminding them that the secret to success is to "get up in the morning, get on the boat and row - DO NOT QUIT."

Wally, like most engineers, didn’t “idle well.” He stayed as busy as possible, and enjoyed many hobbies, and shared as many of them as possible with his wife Debora. They spent many days and hours traveling the United States together, collecting antiques, and enjoying each other’s company. Although he was reluctant to see the same place twice, he visited his hometown and alma mater whenever possible and was a great supporter of the Southeast Kansas heritage and Pittsburg State University. He would have taken great pride in seeing his granddaughter perform on stage at Century II, and knowing that his love of the performing arts is shared by another generation of his family.

Wally is survived by his wife, Debora; their daughter, Isabella (Stewart) and her husband, Michael; and his grandchildren: Laurel and Paul Hake.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Quentin Eugene Jensen and Lorene Isabella Wallace.

A visitation for Wally will be Friday, November 15, 2024 at Resthaven Mortuary from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A funeral service will be held Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Resthaven at 1:00 PM with a graveside service immediately to follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory in the Lakeside Estates.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to establish the Wally Jensen Memorial Scholarship at Pittsburg State University. Gifts can be mailed to the PSU Foundation, Inc., PO Box 4005, Pittsburg, KS 66762 or can be given online at pittstate.edu/givenow; or to the Wichita Public Library Foundation.