Jack Russell Jensen passed from this earthly life to his heavenly home on Friday morning, Aug. 15, 2003, at Thorne Crest South.

Funeral services for Jack, of Albert Lea, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at the First Baptist Church of Clarks Grove. The Rev. Alvin Cooper will officiate. Interment will be in Clarks Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Jack Russell Jensen was born on Sept. 14, 1916, to Elsie and Martin Jensen near Harlan, Iowa. He joined his sister Adeline and later a sister Jean was born to the family. About 1920 they moved to a farm near Lorimer, Iowa, for three years and then to Fiscus, Iowa, where Jack grew up. In 1934 Jack graduated from Harlan High School where he was active in music and sports. During the summers of his high school years and just after, he was a drummer for the Farmers Union Band in Nebraska. While in high school Jack earned his spending money by trapping gophers and selling their feet, and by dressing pigeons to sell. He was always thinking of a way to earn money and of something funny he could do. He was a businessman at heart from an early age.

While living and farming at Fiscus, Jack met his wife, Virginia. They were married March 12, 1935. To this union six children were born who survive him today. Jack and Virginia farmed, first near Fiscus, Iowa. In 1942 they moved their family to a farm near Elkhorn, Iowa, where they lived until 1945 when the moved to a farm near Albert Lea. It was during the 21 years there that they raised their family. In 1966 Jack and Virginia left the farm to work at Blaisdell Baptist Retirement Home in Minneapolis. Later they worked at Crest Home in Albert Lea and then Thorne Crest Retirement Home. They retired in 1978 to their lake cottage in Waterville for the summers, and spent the winters in North Fort Meyers, Fla., for 16 years. In 1990 the couple moved to Clear Lake, Iowa, where they lived for ten years before moving into Thorne Crest Retirement Home in the fall of 1999.

Jack was a farmer and businessman from childhood until retiring from farming in 1966. He loved to spend his retirement days fishing. He taught his grandchildren as well as a few nieces and nephews how to fish, plus how to clean and filet them. He was an avid reader until he lost his eyesight. Sports were a big part of his life. During retirement he played in the Waseca Harmonica Band as well as with the retired muscians in Florida. Music played a large role in his life. He played the violin in high school, was a drummer, as well as a harmonica player.

Jack was very proud of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Left to cherish his memory are his children: Richard and his wife June Jensen, Julie and her husband Ronald Tocci, Bill and his wife Colleen Jensen, David and his wife Helen Jensen, Carolyn Ahrens, and Jonathan Jensen; grandchildren: Jon and his wife Joanne Jensen, Karen and her husband Terry Graybill, Lisa and her husband Eddie Corbin, Deb and her husband Scott Coombe, Cindy and her husband Bruce Ramn, LuChia Tocci, Ronnie and his wife Sarah Tocci, Shelly Jensen-Kowski and her husband Mike, Linda Jensen, Tim and his wife Theresa Jensen, Marcia Jensen, Mike and his wife Lisa Ahrens, Mark and his wife Teresa Ahrens, Matt Ahrens, Christopher and his wife Charlene Jensen, Brian and his wife Valerie Jensen, and Anthony and his wife Lorri Jensen; and great-grandchildren: Emma Tocci, Nick Corbin, Josh and Shauna Graybill, Will and James Jensen-Kowski, Jill and Jennifer Jensen, Adam, Alyssa, Jonah, Elijah, Jessica and Abigail Ahrens, and Jeffrey, Jeremy and Kaitlyn Jensen. Jack is also survived by his sisters: Adeline Green, and Jean and her husband Maurice Group; many nieces and nephews; and his caregiver, Diane Lowell and her husband Elmer.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Virginia; a grandson, Todd Jensen; son-in-law, Jim Ahrens; and a granddaughter, Missy Corbin.

The last piece of advice he gave is to grieve till the shock is past and then be glad for him that he’s home in heaven with his Lord and loved ones. All pain is past. &uot;To those I love and those who love me: Be happy that we had so many wonderful years. I thank you for the love we’ve shared but now it’s time to travel on alone. One day we’ll meet on heaven’s shore and I’ll greet and welcome you with a smile. Welcome home.&uot;