Jerry Jenson 06/19/2025

Gerald Orvin Jenson, age 82, of Martell Township Wisconsin, passed away with his family at the bedside on June 19, 2025.
Jerry, as he was known to friends and family, grew up a farm kiddo in the beautiful hills of Wisconsin. He was proud to be the son of Jasper and Edith Jenson, and the younger brother to Delores Johnson. Jerry loved his upbringing and childhood, sharing that his parents prepared him well for life. He was one of the first in the Jenson family to attend college, and quickly found that he was eager to explore the world. He had the foresight to leverage his university degree as a launching point to enter the United States Marine Corps, serving as a highly decorated and impactful officer.
Jerry spent 27 years in the Marines, earning the rank of full Colonel before his honorable discharge. His career centered around Marine aviation, where he served as a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) and fighter pilot for the F-4 Phantom in the Vietnam War – spanning more than 267 combat missions and multiple air medals. He also flew the A-4 Skyhawk, H-53 Stallion, and was selected as one of the elite test pilots for the original AV-8A Harrier program. Jerry also helped develop the initial drone program for the U.S. Navy and Marines, and supported Operation Desert Storm as a strategy adviser for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Jerry was proud of his time in the Marines, persistently remarking that he worked and befriended “some of the world’s best people in some of the world’s toughest conditions”. After his retirement from the Marines, Jerry served as a contractor and advisor for the U.S. Transportation Command, near Scott AFB, Illinois.
In his personal life, Jerry felt a calling to volunteer and serve others. He loved donating time as a greeter for church, and serving as an officer for the Military Order of World Wars (MOWW) in Sun City, AZ. He was a strong supporter of community philanthropy, regularly donating to prior churches and organizations around the country where his career had taken him. He believed he was lucky to survive Vietnam and held a strong desire to give back to others.
Most of all, Jerry was a loving husband and father. He adored his wife and family. His favorite moments, even in his final days, were chatting with his grandchildren and recounting humorous stories about his parenting mishaps and silly moments. He literally said, within hours of his passing, that he felt so blessed for the life he experienced. Jerry is survived by his wife, Sherrill, two children, Matt (Beth) and Chris (Robin), and four grandchildren (Tim, Leah, Taylor, and Laurel) He always found time to make them all feel special and loved. He is also survived by his sister, Delores Johnson, and beloved nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Jerry’s Life will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at Rush River Lutheran Church N8623 CTH-Y, River Falls, WI. Local arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.