Former MSUM Administrator John Jenkins Passes Away
John Morgan Jenkins, formerly of Moorhead, passed away June 10 in Sun City, Ariz., after a brief illness. He was 94 years old and resided with his wife, Thelma (Sally) Nielsen Wold. John, son of Anne Sofia Headland and Ralph Morgan Jenkins, was born August 19, 1914 in Fargo, N.D., and raised by Ralph and Nina Jenkins. He graduated from Fargo High in 1932 and NDSU in 1936 where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. He joined ROTC in 1932 and was commissioned as 1st Lieutenant in 1936. He taught in Oberon, N.D., and Fargo before entering active duty in 1941. His marriage to a fellow teacher in Oberon, Florence Marie Thompson of McHenry, N.D., was in June 1938. After advanced training in the U.S., Captain Jenkins served as Commander of “Dog” Battery, 778 Battalion (SP) in Europe until late 1945. Continuing his service in the Army Reserves, he retired as a Colonel in 1974.
Following his service the Jenkins family settled in Moorhead where he was named Dean of Men at MSUM, a new position to accommodate the influx of veterans using the GI bill for higher education. He continued graduate studies earning a master’s degree from the University of Iowa and a doctorate in education from UND.
During his tenure at MSUM, John held numerous positions in student services and administration and taught at the undergraduate and graduate level. He was involved in the expansion of the physical facilities at MSU during the University’s growth years in the 60s and 70s. In 1976, John retired from his full-time position but continued as a part-time consultant.
John was active in the Fargo-Moorhead community having served as alderman on the Moorhead City Council, as a member of the Planning Commission, on the FM Symphony Board as well as involvement with numerous civic and fraternal organizations. As an Eagle Scout, he remained active in scouting. He was a dedicated member of the First Congregational/United Church in Moorhead.
After retirement, John and Florence traveled extensively, enjoyed summers on Pelican Lake and winters in Lake San Marcos, Calif. Having taken up golfing as a teen, John continued his long-held interest well into his 80s
John lost Florence in 1999. In 2000, he married a dear family friend, Thelma (Sally) Nielsen Wold, widow of Dr. Lester Wold of Fargo. John and Sally wintered in Sun City, Ariz., and summered on Pelican and Fargo until 2003 when they moved full time to Royal Oaks Lifecare Community. John honed his skills as a puzzle creator, gaining widespread respect of his friends, family and residents. His creative and prolific inventions appeared in the resident newsletter.
John is survived by his wife, Sally; his son, David Jenkins of Hamburg, N.J.; his daughter, Janet Lessem of New York City; five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made to the John & Florence Jenkins Memorial Scholarship Fund of the MSUM Foundation, P.O. Box 68, Moorhead, MN 56563 or the Royal Oaks Scholarship Fund in care of Royal Oaks Lifecare Community, 10015 West Royal Oak Rd., Sun City, AZ 85351.