Herbert J. "Herb" Jensen age 90 died on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at The Meadows of Fall River Assisted Living. He was born on July 19, 1934 at home in Warrens to Bernard and Ella (Johnson) Jensen. Herb was a 1954 graduate of Tomah High School. He was married to LeeAnn Griffin on September 23, 1956 in Tomah and together raised three sons. The couple moved to Columbus where Herb was employed by David Ahlers, a local master mason. Herb later moved into carpentry when he began Jensen Builders. He built several homes in the Columbus area including the concession building at Fireman's Park and a six-unit apartment building on Waterloo Street which he owned for sixty years. Later, he moved on from carpentry and purchased brick-faced aluminum forms and began pouring concrete basement walls in the Columbus, Fall River, Beaver Dam and surrounding areas. Although primarily new residential home construction, many other foundation additions, retaining walls and farm infrastructures were built. Whether it was a barn addition, manure pit or a bridge to access large heavy field equipment between pastures, he rarely turned anyone down. Herb's 'I can make it, fix it or build it' mentality equaled his ability to do just that. His near perfectionism with a keen eye for straight and level and tireless work ethic, set an example for his sons in their own endeavors. Beyond his many evenings in the shop each night, building window bucks, welding, or maintaining equipment, family time was spent water skiing on the Wisconsin River. In 1986 he purchased a five-acre property on Seier Road where the couple lived for 17 years, after rebuilding the dilapidated house and barn. After selling the 'poured-wall' business to his son, Jeff, he continued working on new construction and renovations for all three sons, including an extensive renovation at Jones-Jensen Funeral Home for ADA compliance in 1993. Herb was a die-hard Ford and Lincoln enthusiast and subscriber to Hemming's Motor News. His hobby was restoring Ford cars from the 1920's, 1940's and 1960's. His favorite was a 1946 Super Deluxe Ford convertible, most of which he trailered home from a farm field in South Dakota, for a complete frame-off restoration. He was a member of the Wisconsin Academy Seventh-day Adventist Church where he helped in construction of the administration building in the 1960's.

Survivors include his loving, understanding, supportive and equally hard working wife of 68 years, LeeAnn of Fall River; three sons Jeff (Cheryl) of Daggett Michigan, Tim (Julie) of Columbus, Todd (Lauri) of Fall River; eight grandchildren, granddaughter Jessica (Mundo) Gonzalez and their children Isaac, Giovanni, Lucien; granddaughter Melanie Bell and her children Lucia (Nathan) Pierce, Gordon, Moesly, Teddy; granddaughter Hannah (fiance Ian Marks) and her children Lucas, River, Delilah; granddaughter Samantha (Ron) Spurbeck and their daughters Remington and Piper; granddaughter Celeste Grubbs and her children Levi and Morgan; grandson Wesley; grandson James (Karen) and their children Jack and Victoria; grandson Christian; two nephews, one niece; dear brother-in-law  Greg (Carol) Griffin of Madison; beloved sisters-in-law Vickie (Loren) Wildes of Tomah, Katie (Juri) Valters of Jackson, Val Post of Bennett, Rose (George) Travis of Darien, Deb (Mike) Ryan of Madison, Becky (Tom) Collins of DeForest; many Griffin nieces, nephews; other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Gladys deFluiter and four brothers-in-law Russell Griffin, John Post, Tom Griffin and Nick Griffin. A private family service will be held. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery, Columbus.

A special thanks to the staff at The Meadows for their care, daily support and encouragement. Also, Generations Hospice RN Kelly for her superb communication, both with us and dad. Thank you.

Please share your online condolences with Herb's family at jensenfuneralandcremation.com.