Donna M. Jensen

Donna M. Jensen, age 89 of Escanaba, passed away peacefully Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at Christian Park Center, Escanaba, MI.  She was born May 25, 1934 in Marinette, WI to Myron L. and Mary Elvira (Grandaw) Gamlin.

Donna attended St. Joseph grade school and Our Lady of Lourdes high school.  At age 17, she moved to Racine to obtain work where her two sisters lived. She spent a short time as a nanny until she could procure a permanent job.

She loved to tell stories about ice fishing with her dad who was a commercial fisherman.  It seemed to be a highlight of her life growing up.  She was very good at cleaning, scaling and filleting fish; especially perch and whitefish.

Donna’s first permanent job was at Rainfair where the work was very hard, involving piece work with a lot of lifting of heavy raincoat material, which continued for many years.  She then went to work for Dremel for several years and the remainder of her career was a realtor.  First with Kramer Realty and then REMAX.  Donna was very good at all her jobs but really enjoyed being a realtor the most.  She truly enjoyed all the people she met and received several awards for her work.

On April 24, 1953, she married George Jensen in Waukegan, IL.  They enjoyed 57 years together until George passed away on the same day as her brother, Bud on November 6, 2010.   In their retirement years they spent time traveling.  Although they had no children, they were very fond of their nieces and nephews from both sides of the family and often held showers for brides to be and new moms.  They enjoyed giving parties especially holiday affairs with Christmas being her favorite.

Donna’s pastimes included doing ceramics, playing cards, listening to good music, reading, and traveling.  Donna and George were kitty lovers and had several throughout the years.   Anyone who knew Donna, knows she was a “spark” with spunky attitude.  We will definitely miss her and her personality.

Donna is survived by her youngest sister, Sally (Dennis) Grall, Escanaba, MI and brother-in-law William Jensen, Racine, WI, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Preceding her in death are; her husband, George; parents; in-laws George and Mabel (Sannes) Jensen and Donna’s siblings and spouses; Catherine (Joseph) Carpino, Rita (Ralph) Mazzie, Myron F. (Bud) (Carolyn) Gamlin; also, George’s siblings and spouses; Alice (D. Kenneth) Pedersen, Leonard (Mary) Jensen, Harvey (Joyce) Jensen, Howard (Marge) Jensen, Robert (Virginia) Jensen and sister-in-law Mary Ann Jensen.

Visitation will be held at St. Paul the Apostle Church, on 6400  Spring Street, Racine WI on Wednesday, April 10, 2024 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. with the funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at West Lawn Memorial Park next to her husband.

The family of Donna Jensen wish to thank all associated with her care throughout the years, with the latest caring place of Christian Park Center and UP Health Hospice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donna M. Jensen, please visit our floral store.