William Jens

William (Bill) Frederick Jens passed away Monday July 11, 2016. Jens was born September 19, 1926 to John and Mollie (Wirtz) Jens in the town of Wilson.
Jens' professional career included early years with Farm Bureau in Plymouth followed by Elm City Motors in Sheboygan until 1968, and H.G. Weber Company in Kiel until retirement in 1991.
Jens was active in volunteer service. He formed the first urban 4-H club in Sheboygan County in 1959, leading to more than a half century of service. He served as director and president of he county 4-H Leaders Association and played a major role in the development of Camp Riversite. He helped form the South Central District Council in 1976, served on state youth and planning councils and helped coordinate the Wisconsin delegation to the National 4-H Congress. He served as president of the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation and president of the State 4-H Adult Leader Council. He was recognized with the Distinguished Leadership Award from Wisconsin 4-H, the Friends of Extension Award, and the Wisconsin 4-H Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2014 he was named to the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame in its initial class of honorees. He was a charter volunteer at the Stefanie Weill Center in Sheboygan beginning with the renovation of the former Sheboygan Theater and continuing to recent years. He received an Oscar as the organization's top volunteer in 2009. A long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sheboygan, Jens also served his church home in a number of capacities including organizing the Sheboygan Area Lutheran School Association and as chairman of the Morning Meditations radio committee for almost three decades.
Jens is survived by his wife, the former Caroline Poth, whom he married November 13, 1948 at Trinity Lutheran Church in the Town of Wilson. Son Philip and wife Cheryl (Zeinemann) live in Oostburg; daughter Diane and husband Tom Fick live in Fort Atkinson; daughter Carol and husband Josef Neu reside in Gainesville, Florida; and son John and wife Diane (Hostak) live in Racine. Nancy Kissel, a sister, lives in Sheboygan. The Jens family includes twelve grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.
Jens was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Wilmer and brother-in-law Jene Kissel.
A visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 824 Wisconsin Avenue in Sheboygan, Friday, July 15 from 4:00-7:00. Visitation will also be available from 9:00-10:30 Saturday morning the 16th, with the funeral following in Trinity at 11:00.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, remembrances can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, the Weill Center, or the Sheboygan County 4-H Endowment.