Ronald Ivan Jensen

Ronald Ivan Jensen (Ron/RJ) of Bloomington, Mn completed his 2.5 year journey with cancer and died peacefully on August 25, 2025 at the age of 78. He was born on March 14, 1947 in Minneapolis to parents Mildred and Ivan Jensen. He was raised in Grand Forks, North Dakota and was the oldest of four brothers. He went through all of his education years in Grand Forks area schools. He attended the University of North Dakota and graduated in 1969 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. As Ron always liked to tell the story - he graduated from UND one day, became engaged the next day to Rebecca (Becky) Vonasek whom he had originally met on UND campus in January 1967 when he asked her to dance at a Mixer. The day after he became engaged, the draft notice he had been anticipating arrived. He stepped up to the call and found himself drafted into the US Marine Corps and became one of "The Few. The Proud. The Marines" who understood electrical to help repair equipment during the Vietnam War. He and Becky got married in September of 1970 while he was home on a very short leave. She joined him in Yuma, Arizona where he fulfilled his entire 2 year stint as a Marine. Ron and Becky then moved back to Grand Forks, ND where he attended Grad School for 2 years. Job opportunities for Ron brought Ron and Becky to the Twin Cities area in 1973 where they have lived since. Ron worked for Univac/Sperry/Unisys for 23 years. His career path there ended when Lockheed Martin acquired Unisys. At that point, he went back to school and switched gears into Data Base Development and consulting and worked in that capacity for many different metro area companies until he retired in 2011. Ron is preceeded in death by his mother Mildred Jensen Bernard, his father Ivan, his stepdad Jean Bernard and brothers Roger and Russell and his mother and father in law, Leonard and Martha Vonasek. Ron is survived by his wife Becky of 55 years (Sept. 12 Anniversary). His sons Andy (Andrew) Lesley and their children Adeline (Addie) and Henry (Hank). His son Matt (Matthew) and his children Juliet and Jonah. He is also survived by his brother Rodney (Vicki); in-laws Len Vonasek (Gayle), Wayne Vonasek (Toni), Sue Vonasek Streitz (Delbert), Terry Vonasek (Shirl) and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. Ron thought of himself as a simple man; yet he had a very broad scope of interests and hobbies over the years. His sons offer some of the many hats he wore: Husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, godfather, friend, US Marine, engineer, Data Base developer, story-teller, chess master, 10 K runner, hot pepper aficionado, armchair philosopher, classical music enthusiast, handyman, fisherman, grill master, Ham and Eggs Breakfast Club member, just to name a few. He loved outdoors and puttering in his yard; loved anything green and growing. He was even known to let buckthorn grow and thrive! He loved being welcomed completely and whole-heartedly into Becky's large family in addition to his Jensen family and spent some of his last days reviewing all the families and their members because "he didn't want to forget anyone". We miss you so much already, Ron, Dad - and we will remember and enjoy all of the good things. Becky is eternally grateful for the "Would you like to dance" question that began the longest part of his life story. Becky, Andy and Matt thank Ron's VA Primary Care Team, Oncology Care Team, Senior In Home, Beyond Hospice, our families, friends and our Pax Christi family for the many ways you supported us throughout this journey. Funeral schedule as follows: September 11, 2025 Pax Christi Catholic Community 12100 Pioneer Trail Eden Prairie, Mn 55347 Visitation 10-11 am; Mass at 11 am followed by lunch and fellowship in the Dorothy Day Hall at Pax Christi. In lieu of flowers, family suggests any memorials to Pax Christi Catholic Community.

Tributes

Ronald Ivan Jensen

March 14, 1947 - August 25, 2025

Tributes

Ronald Ivan Jensen

March 14, 1947 - August 25, 2025

We are here for you 24x7

Call us and get help now

(612) 377-2203