Wilhelm "Bill" Jensen

Wilhelm “Bill” Jensen, formally of Irma, passed away February 1, 2025, at Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh Wisconsin. Born in Chicago April 16, 1930, the only child of Paul Christian Wilhelm Jensen and Catherine (Brenner) Jensen. Bill was truly a depression era child. He stated he knew no other meat other than venison until he was 13 years old. Music played on Victrolas was the entertainment of the day. The music influenced him to be proficient on harmonica, accordion, organ, banjo, percussion, acoustic and electric guitar. He was an amazing artist as he was self-taught and learned songs by ear never learning to read music. Bill had many dogs in his life and enjoyed the love of a pet practically non-stop from childhood.

A 1948 graduate of Merrill High School, Bill participated in band and was manager of the football team. His first career was masonry working closely with his father. Bill enlisted in the Air Force in 1952. 

He served in Korea as part of the Explosive Ordinance Disposal program. After honorable discharge from his war-time service he considered re-enlisting until his mother suggested he meet Jeanette Nicklaus. In his own words “It was love at first sight.” They were married April 7, 1956, at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church followed by a reception at the Rock Falls Town Hall. They moved to Chicago where he continued his masonry work.

 Several years later his brother-in-law, Ronald Nicklaus, offered him a position with the family’s snap bean custom harvesting company.

Bill and Jeanette relocated to Tug Lake and he began his career with Nicklaus Enterprises, Inc.

Skilled in welding, Bill created and manufactured a process to allow tractors to efficiently harvest beans. He also was instrumental in procuring contracts with farmers and canneries throughout the Midwest and South.

Bill’s interests included hunting in Lincoln County as well as Wyoming, Montana and Colorado. He lived the lake life by pulling his children waterskiing and pontooning with friends. When he saw his children gain interest in snow skiing, he stated “Well, there goes snowmobiling” and promptly learned to downhill ski at age 44 so he could join in a family activity. He obtained a private pilot license and flew his Cessna with Jeanette as his copilot. In retirement he and Jeanette enjoyed their homes in Florida as permanent residents and later as snowbirds returning to Tug Lake for summers. His desire to play music for himself and others manifested in his volunteering to play and sing entertaining residents at local nursing homes.

Bill is survived by his son Nicky (Lisa) Jensen, Oshkosh. Granddaughter Alexandra (Fabian Lucero) Jensen and great grandson Diego Lucero of Los Angeles. Grandson Christian (Dr. Haley Schoenberger) Jensen and great grandson, Jack Jensen of Dallas. Son Mark (Cathy) Jensen of Branford Florida. Further survived by sister-in-law Kay Nicklaus of Tug Lake and nephews Todd (Camille) Nicklaus of Rothschild and Greg (Darcey) Nicklaus of Woodruff.

Preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Jeanette and brother-in-law Ronald Nicklaus.

Services will be held graveside at Woodlawn Cemetery on the corner of Rock Falls Drive and Hwy 107 Thursday February 13th at 11:00am followed by a celebration of Bill’s life. Please join us.

 The family kindly requests memorials for Bill be given to the Wounded Warriors Project and the Merrill High School Band program both at P.O. Box 439 Oshkosh, WI 54903-0439