Vernon Jensen

It was 80 years ago - March 22, 1944. My grandpa Anton Rebec from Palcje - Slovenia (then part of Yugoslavia) was working in the field that day. Suddenly, two hungry and tired unknown men appeared. Anton was surprised. They communicated with gestures. Grandpa was sure that the two paratroopers were from the plane that had been shot down a few days earlier. It was very dangerous because German soldiers were looking for them. They hid in a manure cart, and Anton covered them with branches...

Vern was my back fence neighbor for the last six years. His gentle kindness was inspirational. He remembered my dog's names more than he did mine and he loved watching them play in our back yard.

Vern and Bonnie were are neighbors 30 years. When we were a young family he would clean our sidewalk. As life flipped we took over, blowing snow of his during those deep January storms. We have had 1000s of front yard talks. Always a chuckle and a good yarn.

I was Vern's secretary at the UM Admissions Office in the 70s. He was a very kind and warm person and treated everyone with respect. My sincere condolences to his family.

Linda MacPherson
Work

As a member of FBC, I had the honor of working with Vern every Tuesday night At Vespers. I recall the time he showed me how to load the dishwasher. " if you put it in this way, it works better". So sweet and kind always and most every week he would say to me, " Now you´re Ethan Wright´s mom, right? " I always said yes! We always saved him a brownie from the sweets box. Well done thou good and faithful servant! My heart is broken at his passing but the angels are singing at his arrival! ...

One of my fondest memories of Vern was when we worked in the UM Admissions Office, Vern asked me to sew an orange vest for him to wear on St. Patrick's Day to compliment the Irish green vest worn by his good friend and work companion Jim Lawyer. We had great times working together. Bless Vern for being a wonderful part of our lives in the Admissions Office.

I offer my deepest sympathy to Vern's family. It was a pleasure working with him in the U of M Admissions Office in the late 60's. He was always a professional and a pleasure to be around. He leaves us with many fond memories.