Russell Jensen

Russell Jensen

March 27, 1921 - February 17, 2016

Obituary

MADISON – Russell George Jensen, age 94, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016. Russ (Bumpa, to friends and family) was born March 27, 1921, Easter Sunday in Minneapolis, Minn. He was raised on a farm in Cushing, Wis., and confirmed at the Evangelical Lutheran Church. At 14, Russ ventured to California with a friend "hoboing" by railroad, working odd jobs along the way. In 1940, he returned to Wisconsin and worked at the Box Factory in Osceola. Russ often visited Kyle's Koffee Kup next door for lunch where he met the love of his life, Mae Norlander. They were married on June 28, 1942, by candlelight. They moved to Madison, where he was almost immediately drafted into the U.S. Army in November. Over the next 4 ½ years he served as a Platoon Sergeant under General Patton during World War II. Russ fought many battles across Central Europe and was one of many heroic people who liberated Dachau concentration camp. After finally returning to Madison March 14, 1946, Russ and Mae started their family, and had two daughters, Caryl and Connie. They were later blessed with two grandchildren, Derek and Chandra and ultimately a great-grandson, Cody. As longtime east side residents, Russ worked for 16 years at the Kipp, followed by 30 years at C&P Grocery. He retired for two weeks in 1988, quickly bored, he worked at Gerhardt's Drugs for another 12 years. Russ and Mae were active members of Bethel Lutheran Church for 51 years. They enjoyed many years of travel with family to Europe, Asia and Australia, taking many trips as ambassadors of the "Friendship Force," a program created by President Carter. Russ was an avid sports fan and often listened to games on his transistor radio. Other favorite activities included spending time with family, playing games, cards and reading. In 2011, accompanied by his granddaughter, he took the Badger Honor Flight to Washington, DC for surviving WWII Veterans. Russ is survived by his wife of 73 years, Mae; his two daughters, Caryl (Mike) Selchert and Connie Dreger; his two grandchildren, Derek Van Woelderen (Brent) and Chandra Kleinsmith; and his great-grandson and "Best Buddy", Cody Kleinsmith. He is pre-deceased by his parents; five sisters; four brothers; and many other relatives, including his son-in-law, Tom Dreger on Nov. 13, 2015. A Memorial Service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday Feb. 23, 2016, with Pastor John Swanson presiding. Visitation will be held at the funeral Home from 1 p.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. Memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church or the American Heart Association. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420

Events

23
Visitation
Tue Feb 23, 2016 @ 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
23
Service
Tue Feb 23, 2016 @ 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
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mary savall
Other •
I knew the Jensons from xyz and very nice people My sympathays to family. Mary Savall ak if they remember the donuts??
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Scott Denson
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I enjoyed Russ tremendously when he was employed with Gerhardts. He was a sweetheart. May he rest in peace. Gerri from Gerhardt's
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John O'Neill
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From a Facebook Posting.... John O'Neill Here's an obituary of a man who was the father of a girlfriend I had when I was 16 years old - a long, long time ago. It serves as a great reminder for a number of different things. First, you can never judge a book by its cover. When I met "Mr. Jensen", he was working in a grocery store in Madison. He was as nice a person as you'd ever want to meet and it seemed to me that he always had a smile on his face. I remember watching the Cowboys and Redskins game on TV pm Thanksgiving in 1968 with "Mr. Jensen" and noting that he was talking to the players on the TV screen probably more than he was talking to me! He too loved his football! Even though my relationship with his daughter, Connie didn't last, memories do. Over these past 48 years, when I would have the occasion to even think about those days, when the memory of Mr. Jensen came up, I always had a pleasant memory of a nice, polite, happy and unassuming man. And I always will have those memories. What I never knew about Mr. Jensen was that, according to his obituary, "he served as a platoon sergeant under General Patton during World War II. Russ fought many battles across Central Europe and was one of many heroic people who liberated Dachau concentration camp." Wow. He never said a word to me about this. My guess is that not many people he knew did know about this. I will now add "RESPECT" to my memories of Mr. Jensen. Not only for what he had to deal with when he was only in his mid 20's, but his apparent refusal to let what must have been horrible experiences and ultimately horrible memories define his life in later years. This was a special guy - but I had no way of knowing it then. But I know it now. Rest in peace, Mr. Jensen. I think yours was the "greatest generation". Jensen, Russell George MADISON - Russell George Jensen, age 94, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016. Russ (Bumpa, to friends and family) was born March 27, 1921, Easter Sunday, in HOST.MADISON.COM LikeCommentShare Connie Reif, Carol Hoffman Goska, Enrique Larson and 66 others like this. 1 share Comments Terry Schultz Beautiful memories, John, that I hope you will share with his family. Like · Reply · 19 hrs KJ Cullen Thanks for sharing. The people we meet in life and the awesome things they have done, really put into perspective, what life is about. As much as I love my Packers, that love fails in comparison to my love to my Country and the great men and women that came before me. Like · Reply · 2 · 19 hrs Ed Nowlin It pains me for these great people to see what the U.S. has become. Like · Reply · 2 · 19 hrs Mick Stephenson Thanks for sharing John! He lived a great full life! Like · Reply · 18 hrs Jan Johnson Nice, John. Those proud WWII vets rarely talked about their service. They truly were the greatest generation, for their service and the way they lived their lives. Like · Reply · 17 hrs Jimmie Breedlove Very nicely said and honorable for you to have known him. Like · Reply · 17 hrs Donna Vorburger It was a lovely memory. Like · Reply · 16 hrs Beverly Mares A loving tribute! Like · Reply · 15 hrs Kim Dary How sad, John. May he rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers are with Connie and her family at this unfortunate time. Like · Reply · 15 hrs Kirk Roger Tingblad Many of those brave men and women who served in WWII were very much like the man you described. Only a couple of years ago, I found out the father of the next door neighbors kids was in the D-Day invasion. Never talked about in once in all of the time ...See More Like · Reply · 1 · 14 hrs Kim Dary This is a common thread with our remaining WWII and Korean War vets. If you know any of them, hug them and shake their hands. They will not tell you their story but please, let them know you care. Like · Reply · 2 · 14 hrs · Edited Randy Hansen My Dad God Rest his soul was the same way. Left for WWII in March 1942 and never came back until October 1945. 3 1/2 years over there and never saw his daughter (My oldest and only sister) until she was almost 4 years old. Randy Hansen's photo. Like · Reply · 14 hrs Randy Hansen replied · 1 Reply Sally Jaglinski Nice story.
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Jan McMullen
Other •
My sympathy to the Jensen family . Connie I did not know that your father worked at C and P. I bet I have talked to plenty of time at C and P . My Prayers are with you and your family . Jan Hanson McMullen
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derek van woelderen
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Some of my favorites...old and new...
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Cameo Skogen
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Hi family, my name is Cameo. I am David Jensen's daughter. LeRoy was my grandpa. So Russell was my great uncle. I only had the privilege of meeting Uncle Russell one time, @ a Jensen family reunion many years ago. I instantly fell in love with Russell, he was such a fun and wonderful man. I wish that My family could have spent time with your family I know we would have had just a blast together. We will be praying for you as you grieve. Jesus tells us in Matthew, "Blessed are those that mourn for they shall be comforted." Hold on to that promise as time goes by. Jesus promises to never leave you nor forsake you. With love your relatives in Minnesota!

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