Edwin Mardell Jensen was born and raised in Gunnison, Utah, on a fifth-generation family farm. His mother died on his 13th birthday, so he spent a lot of time with his family and working on the farm. He married his wife Elva before he was drafted into the Marines. He trained in California and then was sent to Korea. He spent most of his time doing reconnaissance missions. When he returned home in 1954, he joined the American Legion. He continued to farm. He and his wife started a family that grew to include four children and many grandchildren.