April 6, 2018 – Kewaskum, WI – Stephen (Steve) Andrew Jensen, ETC USN Retired, 70, went to live in eternal peace in heaven on Friday, March 23, 2018 after a 2-month battle with multiple infections resulting in heart failure.
He was born in Luverne, MN on June 22, 1947, to Andrew Bertel Jensen & Irene Mae Prahl Jensen. He graduated from Luverne High School in June 1965. He also attended Northwestern Electronics Institute (n/k/a Dunwoody College of Technology) in Minneapolis, MN.
In 1967, Steve joined the US Navy & attended boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Base in IL. He also trained to be an electronics technician in A school. In March 1968, he met his wife, Charlene, at a USO dance in Milwaukee, WI, where she volunteered. They married in January, 1969, right before he was sent to his first duty station in Rota, Spain. Charlene moved there 3 months later, & his 2 children, Stephen (Andy) & Stephanie were born there. He was then transferred to the USS Brumby FF-104 at the Charleston, SC, Naval Base in March of 1974.
In March 1977, Steve was honorably discharged from active duty, & moved the family to Milwaukee, WI, where Charlene was born & raised. He worked as an electronics technician at Globe Union (which was sold twice before he retired, to Johnson Controls & then C&D Technologies). In May 1986, he reenlisted in the U.S. Navy as a reservist at the Naval Reserve base in Milwaukee, WI, where he served in the MIUW (Mobile Inshore Undersea Warfare) unit. In February, 1991, Steve made Sailor-Of-The-Year for his command MIUW. He also made the rank of Chief Petty Officer in October, 1991. He retired from the US Navy in August of 1997 after serving a total 21 years. He retired from C&D Technologies in September, 2009, after 32 years of service. He enjoyed his retirement in West Bend, WI, spending his days serving on the Kewaskum, WI, school board & woodworking & projects around the house as long as his health permitted. He was also a member of the American Legion in West Bend, WI, where he served as Finance Officer.
In September 2015, Steve & Charlene moved to Crossville, TN, to live out their retirement in the beautiful mountains & away from the bitter cold & snow of Wisconsin.
He is survived by his wife – Charlene (Witt) Jensen; son – Stephen (Kim) Jensen; daughter – Stephanie (Max Welsing) Jensen; brother – Jeff (Deanna) Jensen; three granddaughters – Kristen (Mike) Goodwin, Amanda (Brian) Vasquez, & Brittany (Erika) Jensen; 6 great grand-children – Raphael, Ryan, Alyssa, Hayden, Zoey, & Lexi; 8 nieces & nephews, as well as numerous other family members & friends. He is preceded in death by his father – Andrew Bertel Jensen, mother – Irene Mae (Prahl) Jensen, many friends & relatives, & his 2 dogs Kuku & Heidi.
A memorial service will be held at Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home on Saturday, April 14, in West Bend, WI. Visitation will be from 1pm – 3pm with a service at 3pm. Lunch will also be provided after the service.
Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home, 1315 W. Washington Street, West Bend, WI 53095