Full Obituary

BERNADINE C. JENSEN, age 92, of Thorp, WI, died Thursday, December 29, 2016 at Dove Healthcare West in Eau Claire, WI. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Wednesday, January 4, 2017 at St Bernard-St. Hedwig’s Catholic Church in Thorp. Fr. Janusz Kowalski will officiate and burial will follow in St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church, on Wednesday, from 9:30am until time of service.
Bernadine Christine Gengler was the youngest child born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Jacques) Gengler on November 3, 1924 in Thorp, WI. 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 Donald Jensen on October 27, 1945 in Fort Mason CA. 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's Catholic Church and its PCCW, which she dearly loved, and a member of the Thorp American Legion Auxiliary.
Thankfully 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; 2 sons-in-law: Fred Lauer and Lee Staley; 3 brothers: Jim, Ray, and Harry Gengler; and one sister: Margaret Benzschawel.