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Edward Jensen
Military Graveside Service
Celebration of Life
Edward Jensen
Edward John “Jack” Jensen was born on January 13, 1943, in Glen Cove, New York, the second child of Henry and Annie (Kanto) Jensen and passed away at a place he loved, his home, on December 5, 2023, after a long battle with cancer.
Jack grew up in the New England area on the dairy farms his father worked. After graduation from Charlton High School in 1961, Jack joined the U.S. Navy and served as an Engineman Petty Officer 2nd Class. After an honorable discharge, he went to school with the intentions of becoming a teacher, however, he became fed up with the colleges accepting some credits (but not all) from military service and instead became a tradesman in the medical field, serving as an instrument mechanic in the kidney dialysis field. His chosen career eventually brought him to Washington state in 1981.
Jack had many activities he really enjoyed and even more he didn’t-and he would let you know his likes and dislikes even if you didn’t ask! Among his favorite likes were trains, tractors, gardening and reading. He was one of the initial volunteers to begin the Railroad Museum in Toppenish, WA, and spent many hours helping to restore a steam engine on display. Jack knew a little about a lot and a lot about many subjects. He was not afraid to share his opinions on any subject and rarely backed down from any conversation (much to the dismay of his family at times!). He was the first (and loudest) to begin singing “Happy Birthday” and found it entertaining to embarrass his family by belting out “YMCA” at any time.
In the fall of 1993, Jack met Linda Hamre Studniski and the two were wed on April 28,1995. In June 1995, the couple moved to a house with acreage in Grandview, WA. Jack loved to garden both flowers and vegetables. He created a beautiful front yard with pathways through hundreds of flowers, bushes and a koi pond. In the field behind their house, rows of squash, potatoes, beans, peas, corn and more were grown every year. Processing corn every summer was a family favorite activity that provided a lot of laughter among all the sweat.
Jack was a proud and active “Papa” to Jacob and Kaela. He was afraid of holding them when they were infants but he sure did get over it fast! He went to the sporting events and concerts, taught them how to garden and play in the dirt, how to work properly with wood and loved playing “Apples to Apples”. He helped Jacob restore an old rusted out John Deere tractor that would go on to win a Grand Champion ribbon at the Benton Franklin County Fair and was so proud of the kitchen table Kaela and Victoria restored by sanding and staining with his guidance.
Jack retired from Davita in February 2007. He had time to finish a few projects around the house, including adding a bedroom and shower to the home, just in time to bring his parents from Massachusetts to live their remaining time with the family in Washington.
Jack’s ability to garden and do all the things outside he loved to do began to lessen as he was treated for cancer. His time became filled with all of the friends and groups he found online. He was in many forums, shared a lot of interesting things on Facebook, loved to watch the cameras that showed trains run across the Midwest, the ships that sailed in the Great Lakes and had great fun helping his friend search for elusive bottles of wines with animals on their label. He gained the nickname “The Professor” among his online community.
Jack is preceded in death by his younger sister, Sarah Desorcy and parents, Henry and Annie Jensen. He is survived by his wife, Linda, brother, Robert Jensen, stepchildren (Kristine Studniski, Jennifer Nichols (Shannon), and Brian Studniski), grandchildren Jacob Nichols (Victoria McConnell) and Kaela Nichols (Ren Dimico) and several nieces and nephews.
Miliary graveside services will be held on January 13, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland, WA. A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. at the Event Center at Sunset. The family would like to thank the hospice care providers who helped fulfill Jack’s wishes to be at home through his illness. Thank you, Bea, Jasmine, Jaelyn, Santiago, David, Nicole and Chaplain Craig. You all are truly angels here on earth.
I knew Jack from attending school with him from the younger grades all the way through high school. I found an old Valentine he gave to me when we were probably about 8 years old. Three or four years ago I sent him a message with a picture of it which included his name on the card. He wrote back and said:”My God! You DO keep things!” I’m sorry Jack has passed on and I have heard how he fought the good fight with the cancer. Best regards and I’m sending my condolences .
No words can express how truly sad we are about your loss… Jack was a character! As much as I was embarrassed when he would sing YM CA, I wish I could hear him sing it one more time. But I am thankful he is no longer in pain. Love and hugs to Linda and the family. Cheryl and Ray
I’m so very sorry to hear Jack passed away. My heart goes out to you Linda & Family.
What a great contribution to him.
Sending you all prayers and comfort in this difficult time🙏
Carmen Adams
(LPN)
I know, Linda, you had a very nice life with Jack. I am sorry you have had stress in his suffering so long. I wish I could come to his funeral but you know I am unable to do that. Condolences for Kristine, Jennifer, Brian, Kaela & Jacob & especially Linda. HUGS
What a beautiful tribute to all Jack was (and, was not- ha). I laughed and I cried reading it; thank you so much for sharing! Jack was one-in-a-million, and he sure will be missed. Love and hugs to you all. 💕
So sorry for your loss. Sounds like he was very entertaining and a good man. Prayers to the family during this difficult time.
So sorry for your loss. Sounds like he was a great man. Prayers to the family during this difficult time.
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Edward Jensen