Arlene Jensen

Arlene Lorraine (Connor) Jensen , age 81, a resident of Oakland Twp., Burnett Co., WI, passed away Monday, February 8, 2016. Arlene was born in Hayward, WI, on November 22, 1934, a daughter of the late Benjamin and Vivian (Johnson) Connor.  She attended public schools and was Valedictorian of her graduating class at Webster High School. Arlene decided to pursue a nursing career after high school. Her first ambition was to get into Business Administration, however counselors of that time told her there were no careers for women in business.  So, nursing was her next interest. While in nursing school on March 27, 1955, she met Dorain Jensen, aka D.E. from Luck, Wisconsin.  As she has written in one of her albums, their 1 st  date was April 5, 1955, engaged on August 19, 1955, and married on September 10, 1955.  Arlene and Dorain eloped to Nashua, Iowa, and were married in the Little Brown Church in the Vale, which still does many weddings to this day. Because students of nursing could not be married while in school, she had to stop with her nursing education and decided to get her teaching certificate. For roughly the first 20 years of her married life, Arlene was a dedicated, stay at home mom, caring for her four children, husband, Dorain, and maintaining a beautiful home.  She absolutely loved to cook, bake, sew, knit and crochet, take care of the house, entertain, socialize, play Bridge, work on her flower boxes and roses, etc… There were many gatherings at the Jensen house and all were included in the fun. Around 1978 Arlene decided to again pursue getting her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and in 1981, she graduated from University of River Falls with her degree.  She also completed realtor classes and received her Real Estate Licenses, and worked in real estate sales between Wisconsin and Minnesota. Arlene moved back to the Webster/Danbury area to care for her mother and semi-retire.  She ended up working full time for the Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN, as a hostess, and finally at the Hole in the Wall Hotel in Danbury.  She retired completely in 2014 She was also extremely proud her Native American heritage and was a part of the pageants at the Fort Folle Avione.  She made many “Native themed” dresses to wear for the pageants. Arlene always loved to entertain and socialize – hosting BBQ’s under her carport, picnics at Connor’s Lake and the Siren Park, Happy Hour with some of her old classmates at the Gandy or the Black & Orange, playing cards here and there with her brother, Butch, and going to the casino for a few rounds of Keno – pennies only of course.  She is preceded in death by her parents; and two brothers, Edward Connor and Duane Connor. Arlene is survived by four children: John (Carol Kuntz) Jensen, Jody (Ed) Seck, Jeffery (Teri) Jensen, and Jessica (Brent) Jensen Olson; grandchildren: Shannon (Nick) Seck-Route, Jennifer Seck, Ryan Jensen, Trevor Olson, Nathan Jensen, Makinzy Olson, Sophia Jensen, and Zoe Jensen; and a great-grandchild, Addison Route.  She is also survived by a brother, Butch (Sandra) Connor. A Celebration of Arlene’s Life is planned for Friday, July 8, 2016, at  Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park , 8500 Co Rd U, (Oakland Twp) Danbury, WI 54830.  Visitation will commence at 11:00am followed by a service at 12:00pm officiated by Pastor Myron Carlson.  A fellowship luncheon will follow immediately after the service.  Interment will be held at Orange Lakeside Cemetery.  A period of socializing after the burial is planned at Connor's Lake. Honorary Pallbearers are:  Terry Buford, Betty Thompson, Rose DeFilippo, Dennis and Jeanette Frandsen, Mary Steen, Bernie Tolan. Jo Dahlberg, Lorna Mangen, and Thelma Johnson. Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Funeral Home, Webster, WI.  Online condolences may be expressed at  www.swedberg-taylor.com . The family wanted the following poem to be shared with those who knew her. A limb has fallen from the family tree. I keep hearing a voice that says, "Grieve not for me. Remember the best times, the laughter, the song. The good life I lived while I was strong. Continue my heritage, I'm counting on you. Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through. My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest. Remembering all, how I truly was blessed. Continue traditions, no matter how small. Go on with your life, don't worry about the falls. I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin. Until the day comes we're together again."