Peter Jensen

1930 - 2017

Jensen, Peter

Peter Edwin Jensen, 86, died Tuesday, July 4th, 2017 at the Terrace Estates in Sheboygan after courageously fighting cancer for over a year.

He leaves his wife of 63 years, Norma (Dietz) Jensen; his sons, Karl (Eva) Jensen and William "Bill" (Michelle) Jensen; his daughter, Anne (John) Jensen-Graczyk; five grandchildren, Nicholas (Mia) Graczyk and Anna, David, Sarah and Maria Jensen; plus many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was born in 1930 in Hinsdale, IL, to Peter L. and Malvena I. (Oppliger) Jensen. His father was a noted electronics pioneer who had co-invented the loudspeaker, founded Magnavox, and manufactured Jensen speakers, which are still available today. Mr. Jensen graduated from Lyons Township High School in 1948, graduated Phi Kappa Phi in accounting from the University of Illinois in 1952. While there, his Psi Upsilon fraternity brothers introduced him to Norma Dietz, a lovely young lady who he married in 1953.

Mr. Jensen served honorably in the U.S Army Counter Intelligence Corps as investigator until 1955. Following this, he was a CPA for Arthur Andersen, Jensen Industries, Koehring Co., Touche Ross, Vollrath and Sheboygan Tool and Die. He started his own business in 1981, first purchasing a former Playskool Toy factory to manufacture wood products, and later forming a consulting firm.

He was President of Sheboygan Rotary-West, the Osthoff Owners Association, and the Sheboygan County Taxpayers Association. He served on the Sheboygan Public School Board, the Sheboygan County Smart Growth Commission, was Toastmasters Area Governor and taught accounting at both UWM and Lakeland College.

People reveled at his retirement years. He entered a powerlifting match at age 69, spurring a decade of state and national powerlifting championships in the age 70-79 category. With his 250 Lb. squat, 215 lb. bench press and 370 lb. deadlift, spectators dubbed him "The Ageless Wonder." Upon reaching 80, he won new championships in the age 80 to 89 division, including 2010 World Cup Athlete at age 80, and Wisconsin 2011 Powerlifter of the Year at age 81. In 2016, the 85-year-old benched 130 lbs., squatted 154 lbs. and deadlifted 248 at the Oklahoma City Natural Nationals.

When not powerlifting, he spent his retirement turning an 11-acre Cascade, Wisconsin hayfield into The Peter Jensen Orchard. He planted over 800 fruit trees between 1995 and 2012, growing apples, cherries, plums, pears, peaches, nectarines and apricots. His delectable fruit was highly sought at farmer's markets, where he built a loyal customer following. He also loved hunting, woodworking and machinery.

Visitation will be at the Ballhorn Funeral Chapel on Sunday July 16th at noon, followed by a 2:00 memorial service and 2:45 military honors. A private burial will follow. Memorials may be made to the Wisconsin Powerlifting Scholarship Fund, the Sheboygan County YMCA or the Sharon Richardson Hospice.

Please visit our website to sign the guestbook www.ballhornchapels.com