Memorial services for Richard G. Jenson will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Joel Erickson will officiate. Interment will be at a later date. Friends may greet the family one hour prior to the service at Bayview. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Richard Garrick Jenson, 42, born May 1, 1970, brought joy to the lives of his parents Richard T. and Nancy J. Jenson, at Albert Lea. Known as Rick to most and Ricky to some, he attended Albert Lea’s Northside Elementary School. As a young boy his interest in how things worked began to grow. At 4 years of age he left a birthday party and crossed the street to watch construction crews working on a neighbor’s home. He earned the nickname “Mr. Goodwrench” at the time as he watched them without interference of any kind. As he grew, Rick helped all he could with his many skills. Rick attended Albert Lea’s Southwest Junior High School through the first half of ninth grade when his father was transferred to Knoxville, Iowa.

Rick earned his Eagle Scout rank younger than most in his Glenville troop, under the leadership of Jack Barber. Rick’s Eagle Scout project was making and placing wood duck houses around the area. Some are still standing. He was a member of the Brotherhood of the Order of the Arrow before his transfer to Iowa and had also helped his father who then became the unit’s assistant scoutmaster. For Christmas when he was 9 or 10 all he wanted was an automobile engine. All his parents could manage was a lawn mower motor to take apart as a learning tool.

Rick was confirmed at First Lutheran Church by the Rev. Don Rose. He was elected treasurer of his senior class at Knoxville High School. He attended a special science trip to the East Coast and was videographer for the trip. During high school he also was a drummer in the drum corps and went to the national competition. Rick worked as an electrician in Des Moines after his graduation from Knoxville High School in 1989. He was very proud to become a Minnesota master electrician and had just taken the renewal class for this, days before his untimely death. Rick once told his mother he would lay down his life for his brothers Matt and Nate. His generosity and kindness were unheralded.

Left to mourn his loss are his parents Richard T. and Nancy J. Jenson, his brothers Matthew Jenson and Nathan (Cassie) Jenson, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and co-workers, as well as Godparents Pat and Bob Goldman.

Blessed be the journey. You’re home now sweet son.