Lt. Col Russell J. Jensen, Lt. Col. USAF ret

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Jensen, Russell J. Lt. Col. USAF (ret) 21 May 1931 - 20 September 2019 GONE WEST Respected well-known St. Paul Lawyer. Long time Summit Ave. resident, Pilot. MN ANG 31 Years. Courageous, enduring & with humor & smile lost his battle with life. Incarnation Catholic Grade School, Mpls., 1949 Graduated St. Thomas Academy. St. Thomas College- ROTC & Wm. Mitchell College of Law. Laredo AFB, TX Flying Class 58 J Pilot training.. USAF Veteran of Korean, Viet Nam War. Flew many missions to SE Asia, Europe, S. America. Qualified single & multi-engine jet, single & multi engine propeller. Flew TR-33, favorite F-89, C-97, C-130, DC-3. Command pilot, multi-engine commercial pilot. Certified flight instructor. In 1970's Commander of 109th TAS. Held national level offices in flying organizations. Organized pilots distributing Christmas gifts to greater MN. 1980's Pilot for George Latimer Campaign for Governor. Board- MN Aviation Hall of Fame. Member-Quiet Birdman. Wordsmith. With lawyer Richard Grayson (RIP) wrote scripts for skits performed by the Ramsey Co. Judges at the annual Ramsey Co. Bar Assoc. Judges Dinner. Ex: Judges & Judgett's with music 'Guys & Dolls", "Music Man". An eye for taking pictures, designed unique cards. Gourmet cook. Restored several houses in Summit/ Crocus Hill. Unpublished The F.E.B.. military career. Historian Wrote many articles MNANG history. Long time Board member, dedicated volunteer of MNANG Museum. Honored Tuskegee Pilot Col. Kenneth Wofford. Assisted in building 4 replica airplanes. Chr. MN ANG Historical Foundation, Inc. 9 years. Instrumental in Securing a C-123 & C-97 for the MNANG Museum. Known: Humor, Ready smile, Enthusiasm for life, Positive attitude, Cigars, Love of flying, Compassionate, Kind. Classy neckties. Ahead of his time -1st lawyer to convert to computer use. Awarded: FAA: Master Pilot Award for over 50 years of safe licensed flying & St. Thomas Academy: Veteran Fleming Award. Sincere Appreciation for support: Julia Mosby, Jennifer Moore, Joe Jensen. Shirley, Kris, Kerry, Margaret & Kevin Eszlinger. Kathy & Gary Minnich, Chief D. Himmer, Haitham Abdullah, Col.'s Lew & Karen Wolf, MN ANG Museum Volunteers. Lifesprk Veterans Hospital & St. Joseph's Hospital for outstanding care. Charles & Gertrude Chickering Jensen, brother William, Agnes Kelly Jensen, In-laws: Sam, Esther & Vernon Eszlinger preceded him. Survivors: Julia Eszlinger Jensen, Sisters-in-law: Jean Jensen, Shirley Eszlinger. Mary Eszlinger. Children: Laurie, Jamie, Charles (Kitty), Kathleen, Betsy (Kevin Creamer), Kelly (Tory), Lisa (Larry Fasching). 11 Grands 3 Gr. Grands. Mass of Christian Burial 9:30 AM Monday Sept, 30th with visitation 8:30-9:30 AM at the Church of the Assumption 51 W. 7th St. St. Paul 55102. Please donate to your favorite charity or Memorials Assumption Church, MN ANG Museum 670 General Miller Drive, Bld. 670 St. Paul, MN 55511 & St. Thomas Academy 949 Mendota Heights Road, Mendota Heights, MN 55120. The Funeral Directors 651-645-1233

Published on September 29, 2019