Obit: Jensen, Bernadine C. (1924 – 2016)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Jensen, Kowalski, Gengler, Jacques, Warner, Staley, Reeves, Westphal, Papierniak, Taylor, Richmond, Mousel, Wellner, Schoppert, Lauer, Benzschawel

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 04 Jan 2017

Jensen, Bernadine C. (3 NOV 1924 – 29 DEC 2016)

Bernadine C. Jensen, age 92, Thorp, Clark Co., Wisconsin, died Thursday, December 29, 2016, at Dove Healthcare West in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 4, 2017, at St. Bernard – St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Thorp. Fr. Janusz Kowalski officiated and burial followed in St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery. Visitation was held at the church on Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.

Bernadine Christine Gengler was the youngest child born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Jacques) Gengler on November 3, 1924, in Thorp, Wisconsin. She was raised and received her education in the Thorp area. After she completed her schooling, she gained employment at the Blue Moon Cheese Factory in Thorp. She was united in marriage with Donald Jensen on October 27, 1945, in Fort Mason, California. They spent the next two years living in California, before returning to Thorp, where they owned and operated a dairy farm. They were blessed with eleven children. After the death of her husband in 1967, the farm was sold and she worked various jobs to support the family.

Bernadine's passions were baking, cooking, gardening, flowers, small animals and children. She loved to sew and made quilts for all of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

She was a member of St. Bernard –St. Hedwig Catholic Church and its PCCW, which she dearly loved, and a member of the Thorp American Legion Auxiliary.

Thankful for having shared her life are her children: Dan Jensen of Chippewa Falls, WI, Judy (Eb) Warner of Oconomowoc, WI, Joe Jensen of Eau Claire, WI, Donna Staley of Eau Claire, WI, Sharon (Rod) Reeves of White Lake, SD, Geri (Denny) Westphal of Elk Mound, WI, Barb (Jeff) Papierniak of Underwood, IA, Steve Jensen of Thorp, WI, Dave (Patty) Jensen of Thorp, WI, Christine Taylor of Brookfield, WI, Mary Richmond of Sandwich, IL; 26 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Bernadine had a special relationship with Clarence Wellner, Sharon Jensen and Joyce Mousel, and her many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald; one granddaughter, Sarah Schoppert; two sons-in-law, Fred Lauer and Lee Staley; three brothers, Jim, Ray and Harry Gengler; and one sister, Margaret Benzschawel.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com.  Thorp Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.