Bruce Jensen
Bruce Dale Jensen passed away peacefully at his home in Dorchester on Friday, Sept.19,2025.
Bruce was born Saturday, Nov., 17, 1928 in the Township of Mayville to Arthur and Margaret (Ulrich) Jensen. His education included attending a two-room elementary school house at Pleasant Hill, Abbotsford High School, later received his GED, and in 1978 graduated with a two-year accounting degree from Antigo technical school.
During his youth, Bruce traveled to South Dakota working the wheat fields and thrashing, following the jobs /crops as they were harvested all the way back to Wisconsin.
In order to start a new life and serve his beloved country, Bruce joined the Army on November 19, 1950. He served in a Medical Corp in Germany until being honorably discharged from service in October 1952. He followed that with five years of Active Reserve Service.
Bruce worked for farmers in Iowa and South Dakota, at Dorchester Towers, Dorchester Furniture, and then for 27 years he was employed at American Box Board in Colby (later known as the Packaging Corporation of America).
On August 21,1957, Bruce married the love of his life, Vera Neitzel. From 1958-1998 Bruce and Vera worked together on a 40 acres farm (now owned by their son and daughter-in-law, Dane and Lorean Jensen) for 40 years. They had four children: Marie, Dale, Mark and Dane.
Bruce and Vera were married for 68 years. In 1998 they sold their family farm and moved into Dorchester where they have resided ever since.
Bruce absolutely loved to travel. He bought a truck camper and every summer after school was out, he and his family traveled for three weeks to such locations as the Redwood Forest, Yellowstone National Park, Old Faithful, Niagara Falls, Grand Canyon and Phoenix several years to visit family and neighbors who relocated there. Their truck camper was affectionately known as the “The Travelers.”
Throughout Bruce and Vera‘s years together, their travel enjoyment and adventures proudly took them to all 50 states, all the provinces of Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Mexico, Bahamas and Jamaica. Many of these trips were taken with Bruce’s best friend and brother, Glen, and his wife MaryBeth.
Bruce was an active member of the VFW Post #2227 of Colby. He served as Commander for Huber, Schmitt, Brusewitz, Decker from 1992-1993. His years in the service, active reserve, and at the VFW meant a great deal to him. He participated in many parades and memorial services. Bruce loved his country.
Bruce was a member of the Pine Hill Cemetery Association in Curtiss. He never minded participating in the ground's maintenance, leveling of stones, and getting a newer, more beautiful entrance sign to the cemetery built.
Bruce loved to hunt and enjoyed many hunting trips out West and up to the Buck Buster Cabin in Perkinstown. He always looked forward to and was a fierce competitor in the cabin’s annual card playing smear tournament. There are quite a few horns and turkey tails to tell of his successful hunting excursions. Bruce was thrilled and honored to participate in a “Never Forgotten Honor Flight” on May 22,2017 with his son Mark. A fond memory that he talked about often. His wife Vera and their family meant a great deal to Bruce; stating that he could never have done all the things he accomplished without them. He loved them tremendously and that love greatly showed in all the numerous games that he enjoyed playing with children and grandchildren. Everyone fondly remembers playing Smear, Pinocle, Sheepshead, Monopoly, Trouble, Kerplunk and so many more games. He was never a pushover, even when playing with all the children and grandchildren, teaching them the importance of losing gracefully.
Bruce lived a wonderful, blessed and healthy life for 96 years. He always said, “I am grateful for all the days that God gave me to walk this beautiful Earth.”
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; eight sisters; two brothers; son Dale Jensen; grandson Troy Jensen; and great-grandson Joshua Jensen.
Bruce is survived by his wife, Vera (Neitzel) Jensen of Dorchester, Marie (Jensen) and Steve Thomas of Eau Claire, Mark and Tammy Jensen of Medford and Dane and Lorean Jensen of Dorchester; brother, Jack Jensen of Colby; grandchildren: Joseph and Haley Thomas of Lake Orion, Mich., Sam Thomas of Minneapolis, Minn., Jessica (Jensen) and Casey Nernburger of Medford, Kimberly (Jensen) and Kole Hartwig of Medford, Ashley (Jensen) and Adam Landwehr of Stratford, Alyssa (Jensen) and Josh Soyk of Abbotsford, Amber (Jensen) and Seyha Kry of Phoenix, Ariz., and Ernie Jensen and Kora Serrano of Curtiss; great-grandchildren: Ezren Thomas, Brooklyn and Lillian Nernburger, Malcom and Carson Hartwig, Oliver and Riley Pinkert, Colten Landwehr, Anna and Nolan Soyk, Kennedy Capodanna, Petra and Jackson Kry, Breanna (Jensen) and Jess Faude Withee, and Analise Jensen; and great-great-grandson, Aiden Faude.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 30, at Hemer-Pickerign Funeral Home in Medford with the Rev. Ken Schmidt presiding. Burial with military honors provided by Bruce’s fellow members of the Colby VFW will follow the service at Pine Hill Cemetery in Curtiss.
Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday at the funeral home.
Hemer-Pickerign Funeral & Cremation Services of Medford is serving the family. Please visit www.hemerfuneralservice.com to share condolences online. Paid obituary 174504
