Frances G. (Kleinert) Jensen

JENSEN, FRANCES G. (KLEINERT) STOUGHTON- Frances G. (Kleinert) Jensen, age 90, of Stoughton passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 4, 2009 at Skaalen Home. She was born in Poynette on September 24, 1919, to Berthold and Alma (Lerch) Kleinert. A carpenter by trade, Bert Kleinert built a family home on Dayton Street in Madison where Fran and her older sister, Roberta, lived. Fran was a graduate of Madison East High School and the University of Wisconsin (1941). After graduation, Fran worked as a claims adjuster with Hardware Mutual Insurance (now Sentry Insurance). She married Lester Nelson in 1955 and moved to Stoughton, where she opened the Yarn Nook in 1961 -- the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for this lover of knitting and handwork. Fran started teaching knitting classes and eventually expanded her needlework instruction to Oregon, Cambridge and McFarland, where her students ranged from 8th graders to knitters of all ages. Fran devoted herself to the business and was active in the Stoughton Chamber of Commerce. The Yarn Nook expanded to the Yarn Nook and Trolhus, where she and co-owner Marion Fischer enjoyed great success with Scandinavian gifts as well as yarns and needlework classes. A second shop was opened in Wisconsin Dells and catered to tourists from across the country. Fran retired from the business in 1984 but continued teaching needlework to anyone who was eager to learn, including a class at Skaalen. In 1985, Fran married Donald Jensen. Together they enjoyed traveling to the Bahamas and were avid Badger fans, attending many Badger excursions. They belonged to the Stoughton Country Club where they golfed and where Fran played bridge. A passionate bridge player, Fran was a founder of the Marathon Bridge Club, which remains part of her legacy. She was also especially proud of her name on the \"Hole in One\" plaque at the Country Club. Don and Fran were active members at Christ Lutheran Church, where the congregation and its leaders have been Frans spiritual and faith family.\r\n Fran is survived by niece, Bobbie (Mathison) Harper of Chicago; great-nieces, Stephanie (Dixon) Benz of Hartland, and Valerie (Harper) White of Beaver Dam; nephew, Donn (Shirley) Mathison of Johnson Creek; and their children Dawn (Jeff Brand) Mathison, Jill Mathison, Julie (Tom) Krzystof, Susan (Jim) Feld, and Dann Mathison. She is also survived by two daughters, Janet (John Heisler) Jensen of Grafton, WI, and Joanne (Charles) Taylor of Monona; grandchildren, Matthew (Kelly) Taylor of Milwaukee, Abigail Taylor of California, Brianne, Brooke and Ali Taylor of Monona; one great-granddaughter, Charlotte Taylor; and nieces Gigi Jensen, Donna (Al) Olson, and Diane (Peter) Bugni. Fran was preceded in death by her husband Don; her parents; and her sister, Roberta (Kleinert) Anderson. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009 at 11 a.m. at CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, 700 County Road B., Stoughton. Burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in North Leeds. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009 from 9 a.m. until the time of service, on Thursday, at the church. Memorials may be made to the Skaalen Endowment Fund or to the Christ Lutheran Church Building Fund. Fran was cherished and loved by her family, her Christ Lutheran family, and the Stoughton community. Deep gratitude goes to the wonderful and caring staff at Skaalen Nursing Home. She will be greatly missed by her family and all those whose lives she touched. Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Skaalen Endowment Fund or to the Christ Lutheran Church Building Fund. Cemetery: Burial will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in North Leeds. Visitation: Due to the weather, the visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service, on Thursday, at the church. Service: Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009 at 11 a.m. at CHRIST LUTHERAN CHURCH, 700 County Road B., Stoughton.