HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3City of Lakeville
Parks & Recreation
Memorandum
To: Mayor, City Council and City Administrator
From: John Hennen, Parks and Recreation Director
Date: October 21, 2019
Subject: Vernon W. and Tonete Jensen Nomination for Pioneer Plaza Induction
BACKGROUND
In 2010 a policy to induct long-term Lakeville residents or business owners to be honored at Pioneer
Plaza was established. Nominees for this recognition are considered based on their commitment and
contributions to the Lakeville community. Nominees can be submitted at any time by any current or
former Lakeville resident or by a relative. Staff has recently received a nomination from the Lakeville
Area Historical Society to induct Vernon W. and Tonete Jensen to be honored at Pioneer Plaza.
As noted in the nomination letter from Lakeville Area Historical Society, Vern moved to Lakeville in 1927
at the age of two and attended Orchard Lake School. He married Tonete in 1949 and started their
farming career together. Vern and Tonete were extremely active with the farmers of Lakeville and the
surrounding communities. Vern represented Lakeville and surrounding areas on the board of directors
of the Dairy Co-Op – Twin Cities Milk Producers and he was also a member and local state officer of the
National Farmers Organization. Vern was appointed to Lakeville’s Natural Resources Committee in 1977
and served as a volunteer for 12-years. Vern was also on the board of the Dakota County Soil and Water
Conservation District for 13-years starting in 1980.
Vern and Tonete were also charter members and future officers of the Norsota 602 Sons of Norway
Chapter which worked to preserve their Norwegian culture and its many ties to Lakeville. Vern and
Tonete were founding members and benefactors of the Lakeville Art Guild and went on to be
supporters of the Lakeville Area Arts Center. Tonete served on the Lakeville Area Arts Center Board and
she and Vern provided financial contributions to the Center over the years.
In 1995 Vern and Tonete also helped organize Lakeville’s first Historical Society where both served as
officers and board members of the group. Outside of Lakeville, the Jensen’s donated 130-acres in Otter
Tail County to the State of Minnesota – Department of Natural Resources for a wildlife management
area. They were also heavily involved with the Dakota City Heritage Village on the Dakota County
Fairgrounds.
Along with the memo and nomination packet, Staff has also included the Pioneer Plaza Induction Policy.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is recommending the induction of Vernon W. and Tonete Jensen to be honored at Lakeville Pioneer
Plaza. If the Mayor and City Council concur with this recommendation Staff would propose a resolution
authorizing the induction of the Jensen’s as Lakeville pioneers to be honored at Pioneer Plaza with a
plaque. This resolution would be considered at a future City Council meeting.
Individuals who are currently honored at Pioneer Plaza include:
Jerry Erickson, Robert (Bob) Jensen, Nicholas (Nich) Mahowald, Flavian (Bud) and Louise White and
Maynard B. Johnson.