Obituary of John Jensen

John Jensen (JJ), age 53, relocated to his new home in Heaven on March 26, 2020, after a very courageous battle with Glioblastoma Multiforme, a rare form of brain cancer.  This beast called GBM did everything it could to beat him but in the end John was the ultimate victor because it could not take away his fight or the salvation that he obtained through Jesus Christ.

John was born in Wayzata, MN, to Paul and Tove Jensen.  He grew up in Plymouth, graduated from Wayzata High School and attended Rasmussen Business College where he obtained a degree in Accounting. He was employed at LEVEL Mpls as a Controller for 29 years. He and his wife, Melisa, were married for 19 years and were blessed with one daughter, their miracle, Matlyn.

Throughout his life, John lived for the game. He walked fast, he played tough, and he knew what he did and didn’t want.  He was an avid golfer and huge sports fan, especially for the MN Vikings and the Twins. If a game was on TV, he was watching it.  He played on numerous fantasy baseball and football leagues and bowled in a league at Tuttles in Hopkins for the last 30+ years.  Whether on the baseball field or hockey rink as a youth, the softball field or golf course as an adult, he was always very competitive and enjoyed sports as a way to connect with others. 

John loved watching Matlyn on the basketball court and also enjoyed traveling, listening to live music, playing poker, and putting puzzles together with his Mom. Friday mornings were usually spent with Melisa going to a movie and lunch; which leaves fond memories. He had a large circle of friends, many of whom he had been connected with since childhood.  He had a gift of bringing them all together and was always the one organizing the annual Vegas and golf trips.     

John will be greatly missed by his family and friends.  He is survived by his wife Melisa; daughter Matlyn; mother Tove; sister Linda (Pete) Williams; brother Jim (Shelrae) Jensen; a niece and six nephews.  He was preceded in death by his dad, Paul Jensen, his grandparents, and his 2-month-old sister, Amy. 

Thank you to all of the friends and family who have prayed and supported us over the last year and to his medical teams at North Memorial Hospital, the University of MN Masonic Cancer Clinic, and the staff at J.A. Wedum Residential Hospice.  A special thanks to his neuro oncologist, Dr. Elizabeth Neil at the U of M; and especially to Dr. Chris Stuart at Northwest Family Physicians in Rogers for his wisdom in sending John for that first precautionary MRI which gave us time to prepare for the journey we’d face. 

Above all, we thank our Lord Jesus Christ for being with us, seeing us through and the Amazing Grace our Father has given offering the Promise of Eternal life to John and to all who are willing to ask Him to be their Lord and Savior.

Due to the COVID-19 virus, we are taking the necessary precautions and choosing to not hold a public funeral service.

Memorials may be directed to Matlyn’s college fund, Community Bible Study (Africa Region), or the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA). 

Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV)