Elaine A. Jensen (nee Urness), age 97, passed away Saturday, August 15, 2026 at Pleasant Point. She was born an identical twin in Modena, WI, Buffalo County on the family farm, September 30, 1928, daughter of the late Peter and Rose Urness.  When the twins were born, the doctor and nurse traveled to the family farm by horse and buggy to deliver them—a story Elaine would remember and share for years to come. Elaine lived 97 beautiful years filled with love, laughter, family, friendship, music, dancing, baseball, travel, and countless wonderful memories.

Elaine attended a one-room schoolhouse for all eight grades and graduated from Mondovi High School in 1946. She and her twin sister, Eleanor, shared a special bond throughout their entire lives—and more than a little mischief along the way. Growing up, Elaine and Eleanor would walk to their grandparents, Halvor and Anna Urness, after school, where they were always welcomed with one of their grandmother's enormous, delicious sugar cookies. At school, the twins occasionally sat in each other's desks just to confuse their teacher. They loved to laugh about how no one could tell them apart, although Elaine always insisted they never tried to fool their boyfriends. Elaine and Eleanor had a special talent for entertaining. When the Grand Ole Opry was playing on the radio, the girls would use the telephone and pretend they were singing into the microphone. They also performed rope-jumping tricks at school events. Elaine carried that playful spirit and love of laughter throughout her entire life.

After high school, Elaine and Eleanor moved to Minneapolis and lived in a boarding house with ten other young women and they were the only ones who did the cooking.  While working at the Land O'Lakes creamery Elaine and Eleanore played baseball for Land O'Lakes.   Elaine played third base and Eleanore played catcher.  Elaine's life was never without a good story. She worked at several places throughout her life, including the Mondovi Theater, Land O'Lakes Creamery, Western Publishing, Goldblatt's, the Racine Labor paper, and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

On September 20, 1947 she was united in marriage to Raymond Jensen.  In their early married life, they lived on a mink farm in Rushford, Minnesota, in a home with no bathroom and a ladder leading to the upstairs bedroom. Elaine took it all in stride, as she did so many things in life. On July 20, 1968 Raymond passed away. On February 7, 1970 she was united in marriage to Raymond's brother Willard (Buck) Jensen.

Elaine was a truly sweet, easygoing and loving person. She lived a simple life and was always happy, always ready to laugh and always checking on others. She loved her Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Brewers. Even after macular degeneration made it impossible for her to see the television, she continued to follow every game with enthusiasm, asking, "What inning are we in?" "What's the score?" "Who's on base?" and "Who's up to bat?" She knew her players and loved her Brewers. When playing bingo, she would always choose the card with number 71 in honor of her all-time favorite Brewers relief pitcher, Josh Hader. Elaine loved playing cards throughout her entire life and enjoyed many wonderful friendships around the card table. She loved crocheting and was rarely without her camera, taking pictures of the family and friends she cherished. She also loved to dance. With her dear friend Adeline, Elaine enjoyed many evenings dancing at Club TEN in Durand, Wisconsin. She loved to polka, waltz and two-step. Elaine believed that dancing, along with the rope-jumping tricks she performed as a girl with Eleanor and their friend Irma Christopherson, was the reason she had such strong legs throughout her life. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader and treasured the friendships she made throughout the years. She loved traveling and made many wonderful memories on monthly bus trips with Buck through the Bank of Alma, including trips to Las Vegas and Branson. She and Buck also traveled to Germany and spent three unforgettable weeks in Alaska.

Family was at the heart of Elaine's life. Every year, she lovingly made her delicious Norwegian lutefisk and lefse for her family, carrying on traditions that connected generations.  Family time was often spent with her sister Evelyn Hettrick and family. Elaine was also proud of the little things that made her uniquely Elaine. Even as she approached 98 years old, she loved to point out that she had never had gray hair.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Rose and Peter Urness; grandparents, Halvor and Anna Urness; her husband, Raymond Jensen, in July 1968; her husband, Willard "Buck" Jensen, in March 2019; her brother, Raymond Urness; her sister, Evelyn Hettrick; her twin sister, Eleanor Hansen; and many dear friends. She leaves behind her four children: Roy (Shelley) Jensen, Ronald (Tina) Jensen, Sandy (Steve) Tyler, and Lori (Steve) Sheehan; nine grandchildren: Joy Jensen, Amanda Wright, Raymond Jensen, Andy Jensen, Adam Jensen, Terry Thillemann, Troy Thillemann, Veronica Sheehan, Kevin Sheehan; eleven great-grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren and many family members and friends who were blessed to know and love her including her Pleasant Point table friends Evie and Marilyn and housekeeper Kelly.

Elaine's life was not defined by grand possessions or complicated things. She found happiness in family gathered around a table, a good hand of cards, a polka on the dance floor, a Brewers game on the radio, a camera in her hand, a plate of homemade lefse, and a good laugh with someone she loved. She had a gentle heart, a joyful spirit and a way of making life feel a little lighter simply by being there. Her family will miss her laughter, her stories, her questions about the Brewers, her beautiful smile and all the little things that made her Elaine. But most of all, they will miss the love she gave so freely. Elaine may no longer be sitting beside us, but she will remain in every family story, every photograph she took, every dance step, every game we watch, every Christmas tradition and every laugh that reminds us of her.

A mother's love never truly leaves us. It becomes a part of who we are. Elaine's love will live on in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and in all those fortunate enough to have shared her 97 beautiful years.

Rest peacefully, Mom. You were deeply loved, and you will be loved forever.

A special thank you for the compassionate care provided for Elaine by the staff at Pleasant Point; the nurses with Hospice Alliance; her tablemates, Evie and Marilyn; and housekeeper, Kelly.

Service Details

Funeral services will be in the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 322 Ohio St, Racine, on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 11:00AM with Rev. John Anderson officiating. Visitation will be in the church on Thursday from 10:00AM until the time of the service. Interment will follow at West Lawn Memorial Park.  Please wear your Brewer or Packer attire in honor of Elaine.

Memorial Suggestions

In lieu of flowers, memorials to your favorite charity are suggested.