Olson Burke-Sullivan Funeral And Cremation Center

Obituary Detail

January 13, 1915 April 28, 2012
January 13, 1915 -- April 28, 2012

Jenny Jensen , Age: 97

Jenny, 13 years old, immigrated to Amercia from Nykobing (Mors) Denmark in 1928 with her mother, three brothers and two sisters. With her mother seasick the entire voyage, the task of caring for the younger children fell upon Jenny as the oldest daughter. Barely a teenager herself, she learned all about being a serious adult with mothering responsibilities on the rough and rollicking Atlantic Ocean. The family settled in Chicago, where she was awkwardly put in the third grade at Parker Elementary School because she didn't know how to speak English. Imagine being 13 and sitting in little chairds with a gang of eight year olds. If nothing else, she was "head and shoulders" above her classmates. She quickly mastered English and settled into the life of a fledgling American, though she never lost sight of her beloved Denmark. She married Svend Bach in 1935. He was also a native of Nykobing, Denmark, but their paths never crossed until they chanced upon each other in Chicago. They had three children, Tom, Alice and Carol. Unfortunately, Svend passed away at the age of 32, a victim of cancer, shortly after Christmas Day, 1941, Jenny still pregnant with Carol. Those were hard times, as there was very little in the way of social support available for a young widow with three children and no income. The United States had just entered WWII, as a result of the horrible Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, three weeks earlier, along with the dictator Hitler being well into the ravaging of Europe, including little Denmark. With the help of family and friends, she got by, and eventually married Paul Jensen in 1944. With Paul came his daughter Marie and her husband Rudy, a U.S. Marine who was off fighting the Japanese in the South Pacific. Jenny always considered Marie as her daughter too. Paul, who passed in 1984, was a gentle, loving, caring step-father and provider who made it possible for the family to move into its first home. They had two sons, Paul Jr. (1945) and Richard (1950). Jenny joined Olga Lodge #11 of the Danish Sisterhood in 1949 and became an active and life-long member. Over those lodge years, she held numerous elective offices (Marshall, Secretary, Vice-President and President). She also became a life-long member of the Danish Brotherhood, Lodge #35. She joined the Danish Old Peoples Home, Danish Old Settlers and the Danish National Committee, and was active in each for many years. She periodically wrote articles and news for the Danish Pioneer. In 1978, she became the official historian for all of the Danish Sisterhood, a position created especially for her. She had the responsibility for accumulating, collating an editing histories of all the participating lodges (U.S. and Canada) in preparation for the Sisterhood's 100th Anniversary. Nothing like this had ever been attempted before. Believe us, there was lots of blood, sweat, tears and time involved, but the job was done and the Sisterhood finally had a permanent and up-to-date historical record. All told, Jenny was the historian for some twenty years. As such, she participated in a number of National Conventions throughout the country, prominently appareled in her Danish folk costume, while proudly (wo)manning her display booth, surrounded by hundreds of bound Lodge histories for all to see and read. For the past ten years, Jenny has been a resident of the Danish Home in Chicago, where she received the most wonderful care. This deserving Dane couldn't have been in a better place. She is survived by her sons, Tom and Richard, along with loving daughters-in-law Kathy and Nancy, plus a host of grandchildren, Erik, Rick, Kris, Krista, Kerry and Katie and several greatgrandchildren Nathan, Julienna, Jimmy and Daemon. Sadly, Jenny was preceded in death by daughters Alice (2006), Carol (2003) and son Paul Jr. (2011). This was also the case with Marie (1997) and Rudy (2000) who are survived by their son Ken and daughter Judy. Ken has three sons, Ezra, Ira and Jesse, Judy's daughter Lisa brought us Lauren and Emily; her son Michael begat Olivia and Anthony. We are one big family and we will all greatly miss our Bestamor Jenny, who will always be in our hearts and minds. Memorial service Saturday, May 19, 2 p.m. at The Danish Home, 5656 N. Newcastle, Chicago.
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