Clarence "Bill" Jensen

Clarence “Bill” Jensen died November 16, 2020, at Essentia St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd. He was born April 19, 1926, to Jens William and Thora (Anderson) Jensen in Dover, MN.

Bill enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and served until 1945 in the South Pacific on a personal attack ship, USS Laurens, in WWII. He served as a baker and a gunner. Bill received 3 Bronze Stars and was honorably discharged in 1946. In Rochester, MN, on September 21, 1954, he married Betty Lou Ranfranz. They had no children. Bill and Betty spent many years developing bakeries in Rochester, Crosslake, Crosby, Lake City and Battle Lake, MN, and Tomah, WI. Bill loved being a skilled and accomplished baker. Bill and Betty traveled the US by motorhome and motorcycles. They traveled to Denmark to visit Bill’s relatives. They were married nearly 60 years until Betty’s death in January of 2013.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his only sibling, Esther; and wife, Betty. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Peggy Iverson; nephew, Paul Iverson; nieces, Beth Iverson and Judy Ramsey; many other nephews and nieces; and special friend and caregiver, Judy Blocker.

A special thank you to the VA and Essentia for the health care he received from them. Thank you, also, to Kline Funeral Home for their care and consideration.

Bill’s memorial service will be held at 1 PM on Friday, June 25, at Minnesota State Veteran’s Cemetery at Camp Ripley.