Russell "Russ" W. Jensen

RANDOLPH – Funeral services for Russell Wayne Jensen, 79, of Randolph will be held on Monday, July 14, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Randolph. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Per the wishes of Russ and his family, golf attire is welcomed. Pastor Bob Kracht will be officiating the services. Private family burial will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to family for designation to Randolph Community Golf Course, and please consider becoming a blood donor. Russ passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at his residence in Randolph with his family at his side. Stonacek Funeral Chapel in Randolph is in charge of the arrangements. Russ was born on June 18, 1946, in Minden, Nebraska, to Glenville ‘Dynie’ Wayne and Lily Marian (Christensen) Jensen. He attended school at Minden Public Schools where he was a member of the Whippet wrestling team and the golf team. He graduated from Minden High School in 1964. Russ went to Kearney State College and earned a bachelor’s degree in education as a mathematics major and physical sciences major. As a freshman and a sophomore, he wrestled for the Kearney State Lopers. During his sophomore year, he met a fellow undergrad, Dorothy Marie (Kroll), while she was working at Safeway as a check-out clerk. Dorothy and Russ were married on July 2, 1967, at Zion Lutheran Church in Kearney, Nebraska. As college-aged newlyweds, they made ends meet by working overnights at a roadside restaurant near Gibbon, Nebraska, where Russ was the fry cook, and Dorothy was the waitress. As the fry cook, Russ honed his lifelong omelet making skills. Following graduation, they taught at Mullen Public Schools, where Russ coached the Bronco wrestlers as they earned a team championship in 1969. Russ and Dorothy moved to Randolph in 1970, where they would teach at Randolph Public Schools for the next 32 years. Russ earned a master’s in mathematics education from the University of Arizona - Tucson in 1973, having spent three memorable summers in Tucson with Dorothy and fellow master’s students who became their lifelong friends. As a math and science educator at Randolph, Russ also coached many Cardinal sports over the years, including junior high football, girls track, and golf. But he was most proud of helping start the wrestling program in 1970 and coaching the many individual champions over the years. Following retirement in 2002, Russ and Dorothy traveled extensively throughout the country and visited 49 of the 50 states. Everything was “on the way” for Russ and Dorothy, which meant you could find them on the road visiting friends and family and checking out all the attractions. Their adventures were numerous. Russ and Dorothy spent many winters in the Rio Grande Valley with their fellow Winter Texans. Russ enjoyed golfing throughout his life and took great joy in the Randolph Community Golf Course. Russ was always up for a card game with his grandkids and greatly enjoyed attending their music and sporting events. Russ is survived by his wife, Dorothy; three children, Lynn Annette (James) Munter, Michael Wayne (Elizabeth) Jensen, and Gregory Earl (Amanda) Jensen; and eight grandchildren, John Munter, Natalie Munter, Emma Munter, Parker Jensen, Katherine Jensen, Thomas Jensen, Mary Jensen, and Emily Jensen. Russ was preceded in death by his parents Dynie and Lily Jensen; mother-in-law, Pauline Kroll; sister, Janet O’Connor; and brother-in-law, Raye Woodman. Condolences may be expressed to the family on-line at www.stonacekfuneralchapel.com.

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Russell "Russ" W. Jensen

June 18, 1946 - July 8, 2025