Obituary for Walter L. Jensen
Breitung Township – Walter L. Jensen, 98, of Breitung Township, Mich., passed away on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at Freeman’s Nursing and Rehab, Kingsford, Mich.
Walter was born on March 27, 1925, in Baraboo, Wisc., to the late Theodore and Helene (Madsen) Jensen. At the age of two, his family relocated to Iron Mountain, Mich., before settling in Quinnesec, Mich.
Walter was proud of his heritage of having a grandmother who made Ida Ringling’s wedding dress, while working for Ringling Circus; and having an aunt (his father’s sister), who was married during the Civil War.
He attended Quinnesec High School before being drafted into the military at the end of his junior year. He served in the Pacific, New Guinea, and The Philippines during World War II.
While serving in the Army, he found his love for flying. He applied for Pilot’s training and scored the highest score ever recorded on the entrance exam having scored 399 out a possible 400. Unfortunately, his unit was shipped out before a transfer could be accomplished. After the war, he used his GI Bill to accomplish his dream and obtain his pilot’s license.
After his honorable discharge from the military, he returned to Kingsford High School to complete his education. He always bragged about being the only person listed as a graduate with three graduating classes.
Walter married Phyllis Paige on January 28, 1949, in Kingsford, Mich., at American Martyrs Catholic Church. They enjoyed fifty-eight years of marriage together before Phyllis preceded him in death on September 26, 2007.
He worked briefly at the Ford Plant in Kingsford before beginning his career at Kimberly Clark in Niagara, Wisc., where he worked for over forty years.
Besides flying, he loved hunting, fishing, bowling, going to camp, and working in his house. He coached little league and was active in the Red Wing Ski Club and Winter Sports Association. He loved volunteering, participating in Walk for Warmth, Right to Life, bell ringing for the Salvation Army, and peanut sales for the Golden K. He logged over 18,000 volunteer hours at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain.
Walter is survived by his sons, Ted Jensen of Breitung Township, and Mike (Cleora) Jensen of Hartford, Mich.; very dear daughter-in-law, Maria Monosso; nine grandchildren; and twenty-three great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and his loving wife of fifty-eight years, he was preceded in death by his son, Fred Jensen; and four siblings.
Graveside services will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Breitung Township Cemetery, Quinnesec, Mich. Military honors will be given by American Legion Post #50 and the active United States Army.
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Walter’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com
The family has chosen Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Walter’s legacy of life.
Walter was born on March 27, 1925, in Baraboo, Wisc., to the late Theodore and Helene (Madsen) Jensen. At the age of two, his family relocated to Iron Mountain, Mich., before settling in Quinnesec, Mich.
Walter was proud of his heritage of having a grandmother who made Ida Ringling’s wedding dress, while working for Ringling Circus; and having an aunt (his father’s sister), who was married during the Civil War.
He attended Quinnesec High School before being drafted into the military at the end of his junior year. He served in the Pacific, New Guinea, and The Philippines during World War II.
While serving in the Army, he found his love for flying. He applied for Pilot’s training and scored the highest score ever recorded on the entrance exam having scored 399 out a possible 400. Unfortunately, his unit was shipped out before a transfer could be accomplished. After the war, he used his GI Bill to accomplish his dream and obtain his pilot’s license.
After his honorable discharge from the military, he returned to Kingsford High School to complete his education. He always bragged about being the only person listed as a graduate with three graduating classes.
Walter married Phyllis Paige on January 28, 1949, in Kingsford, Mich., at American Martyrs Catholic Church. They enjoyed fifty-eight years of marriage together before Phyllis preceded him in death on September 26, 2007.
He worked briefly at the Ford Plant in Kingsford before beginning his career at Kimberly Clark in Niagara, Wisc., where he worked for over forty years.
Besides flying, he loved hunting, fishing, bowling, going to camp, and working in his house. He coached little league and was active in the Red Wing Ski Club and Winter Sports Association. He loved volunteering, participating in Walk for Warmth, Right to Life, bell ringing for the Salvation Army, and peanut sales for the Golden K. He logged over 18,000 volunteer hours at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain.
Walter is survived by his sons, Ted Jensen of Breitung Township, and Mike (Cleora) Jensen of Hartford, Mich.; very dear daughter-in-law, Maria Monosso; nine grandchildren; and twenty-three great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and his loving wife of fifty-eight years, he was preceded in death by his son, Fred Jensen; and four siblings.
Graveside services will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Breitung Township Cemetery, Quinnesec, Mich. Military honors will be given by American Legion Post #50 and the active United States Army.
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Walter’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com
The family has chosen Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Walter’s legacy of life.