Jeffrey Dean Jenson

BARNEVELD - Jeff Jenson, age 61, of Barneveld, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022. He was born on Sept. 20, 1961, to Maynard and Etta (Rickey) Jenson. He grew up playing with dump trucks in his sandbox, milking cows and working the fields on the family farm on Bryn Grwyn Road, Barneveld, with his sister, Mary, and brother, John. At a young age, he learned the importance of taking care of his family and the love of farming.  

Jeff graduated from Barneveld High School in 1980 and immediately joined the Barneveld/Brigham Fire Department (BBFD) where he served for 41 years. Jeff met Maryellen (Mennes) Jenson when her band was playing at the Thousand Island Bar in Barneveld. He jumped to catch one of the light trees as it was falling and has been hauling her band equipment ever since! They married in April 1997 and with Jeff’s young son, Aaron, they built a new home in rural Barneveld. In 2004, Jeff’s daughter, Lily, arrived, and their family was complete.

Jeff served as Township Patrolman, best known as “the snowplow guy,” for the Town of Brigham for over 30 years. He knew every driveway, curve, and pothole across the 60-plus miles of roads that he cared for daily, as well as every tractor, truck and neighbor that he met along the way.  

During the 41 years of serving on the BBFD, Jeff eagerly dedicated his personal time and was so proud to be a teammate and leader within the department. When the pager went off, Jeff was ready. He served as Fire Chief for eight years, and collectively served as an officer for over 20 years. He retired from the BBFD in 2020, but out of community loyalty and admiration for the current BBFD chief, Bud Schlimgen, Jeff rejoined to help cover daytime emergency calls.

In addition, Jeff had many loves and lived life with a smile and a twinkle in his blue eyes. His many interests included traveling, Harley-Davidson trips, ATV rides, attending tractor pulls, listening to music (especially Maryellen’s band), and tractor restoration. Family camping with his sister and brother’s families were favorites: sharing stories, drinking beer and eating together.

Jeff’s love of farming ran deep in his blood and he farmed every field with David Lee’s family until the harvest was done each season. The Shop, on the Lee Farm, was his second home. He and “the boys” worked hard, laughed hard and formed an unbreakable bond.

As well as supporting his daughter Lily’s love of raising and showing cattle, Jeff was her right hand and he spent tireless nights in every show barn around helping fulfill her dreams. From hauling a newborn calf in the front seat of the truck to barn duty at the fair, he was all in with his girl.

He always looked forward to visits from his son, Aaron. Eating Buffalo Wild Wings, watching the latest movies, receiving electronics tutoring, cutting wood and chipping away on mama’s to-do list were what they did best. They kept the traditional Lefse Fest going and turned Jeff’s shop, now called the Lefse Lounge, into a Norwegian kitchen every November.

Jeff loved his cats - he was truly a crazy cat daddy! When things broke, went wrong, needing sorting out: CALL JEFF JENSON. He could fix just about anything brought his way and everyone counted on him.

Jeff is survived by his wife, Maryellen; son, Aaron (Andrea Brdek) Jenson; daughter, Lily (Brody Anfinson) Jenson; sister, Mary (Wayne) Knudson; brother, John (Tammy Coogan) Jenson; and mother-in-law, Mary Mennes. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maynard and Etta (Rickey) Jenson. He will be missed by his nieces, nephews, their children, aunts, uncles, cousins in addition to countless friends.

In recognition of his lifelong service and dedication, a funeral with honors from the BBFD will be held at BARNEVELD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 505 Swiss Lane, Barneveld, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023. Family and friends who wish to view the service via LIVE STREAM may visit Jeff's obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com and click on the Live Webcast link at the time of the service. A processional, led by his dear friend, Rick Mueller, driving Jeff’s snowplow, will be followed by Engine 4, along with family and friends as we take him home, down his country roads, where we’ll await his final page at the Bethel Lutheran Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the church from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, and also from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to the family for a future donation. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Camacho Mount Horeb

Funeral & Cremation Care

500 N. Eighth St.

(608) 437-5077