Thomas E. Jensen

Thomas E. Jensen age 85, of Neenah passed away unexpectedly on Sunday February 16, 2025. Tom was born on May 4, 1939 in Kankakee, Illinois son of the late Carl and Venus (Comer) Jensen. He graduated from Ripon High School in 1957. On June 18, 1960 Tom was united in marriage to Virginia Walker. He received a bachelor's degree from U-W Stevens Point in 1961 followed by a master's degree from U-W Platteville in 1968. Tom taught at Dodgeville High School until 1968 and then at Neenah High School from 1968 until 1995. He was a longtime Neenah resident and a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church.
Tom coached cross country and track during his years at Neenah High School. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1998. Tom was extremely thankful for the many friends he made participating in his favorite activities of running and skiing. He competed in numerous marathons around the United States including five times in the Boston Marathon. He also competed in numerous ski marathons including 30 American Birkebeiner races.
Following retirement in 1995, Tom, along with other fellow coaches and former members of his track and cross country teams organized the Neenah Summer Fun Run series that has grown to involve hundreds of children in a series of summer races. Tom was also an active volunteer with Theda Care Hospice since 2000.
Tom is survived by his wife Virginia; three daughters: Jody (Mauricio) Huerta of Boise, Idaho; Kristin Norris of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Gretchen (Kurt) Lammeman of Neenah. He is further survived by grandchildren: Andrea, Sofia and Alex Huerta; Adam Carpenter, Jackie and Jacob Goheen; Jensen, Lars, Hans and Reier Lammeman; and great-grandchildren: Jayce, Owen, Gavin and Liam; a sister, Karen Dreschel of Titusville, Florida and by the son he never had, his Goldendoodle Ole.
In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his brothers Robert and Michael Jensen.
Funeral services for Tom will be held 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday February 26, 2025 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church with Fr. Nonito Barra officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services. There will be a Knights of Columbus Rosary Service prior to the visitation starting at 9:15.
Memorials may be directed to the Neenah Summer Fun Run or The Neenah Animal Shelter. The Kessler Fahrenkrug Funeral Home is assisting the family.