MADISON - Lillian Margret (nee Jendresen) Genskow, age 89, of Madison, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at Agrace HospiceCare. She was born on March 13, 1936, in Janesville, the daughter of Danish immigrants Otto and Johanna (Clausen) Jendresen.

After graduating from Janesville High School in 1954, Lil went straight into nursing. Columbia School of Nursing gave her a group of lifelong friends, and an R.N. degree in 1957. She began her nursing career in Public Health and years later transitioned into the Oncology and Family Medicine fields.

On January 28, 1961, Lil married Jack K. Genskow in Milwaukee and embarked on a joy-filled, 40-year partnership. Jack and Lil were perfectly matched and thrived in the life that they built together - first in Decatur and later Springfield, Ill. She received her B.A. in English Literature from the University of Illinois, Springfield.

Lil had a wonderful, dry sense of humor, an iron will (evidenced by her living to see her youngest grandchild graduate from High School and turn 18 in quick succession this month), and a passion for her Danish heritage. Her deep commitment to her family was obvious to everyone who knew her - especially her children and four grandchildren. Her faith was strong, active, ever questioning and growing. A member of Lake Edge Lutheran Church, she enjoyed volunteering in the office, being involved in various committees and traveling with the church on adventures to Holden Village and Mount Morris. She was also able to put her nursing skills to use as a volunteer with Agrace HospiceCare and was active throughout the Madison community. Lil never met a person she wasn’t curious to learn more about. Her move from Monona to Oakwood Village in 2021 gave her many opportunities to satisfy her curiosity as she made new friends there. In her free time, she enjoyed playing cribbage, reading and participating in book clubs, baking, gardening and traveling.

Lillian is survived by her children, Karen (Norman) Goeschko and Ken (Martha Pfister Genskow) Genskow; four grandchildren, Jacob Genskow, Erik Genskow, Lillijana Goeschko and Annalis Goeschko; sister, Marcia Jeffers and much-loved nieces, nephews and extended family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Johanna; her aunt and uncle, Hansine and Laurits Petersen; husband, Jack; brother, Malcolm Jendresen; and sister, Felicia Kuehne.

A memorial service will be held at LAKE EDGE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 4032 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, with Pastor Justin Dittrich presiding. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday, July 25, 2025.

A special thank you to Agrace HospiceCare for their support over the past six months, and to the staff at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge for their friendship, humor and care. Memorials may be made to Lake Edge Lutheran Church, Agrace HospiceCare, National Public Radio, and PBS Wisconsin. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420

Lillian Genskow

March 13, 1936 - June 11, 2025

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