Harold “Buzz” Jensen, 82, of Elroy, Wis., passed away on Monday, April 28, 2025, at the Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.
Buzz was born Aug. 2, 1942, in Plymouth, Wis., to Lawrence and Cora (Smith) Jensen. At a young age, Buzz faced the profound loss of both his father and his only brother, William Eugene Jensen, in the same year. Following this tragedy, Cora married Buzz’s stepfather, Thomas Apostol.
He graduated from Wisconsin Dells High School in 1960, lived in Elroy the remainder of his life, and retired from Walker Stainless after over 39 years of service as plant superintendent and working in quality control.
Buzz was a man of many talents, excelling in construction, metalwork, and woodworking; he was truly an all-around handyman. He also had a strong passion for almost any kind of hunting and fishing. If he wasn’t actively engaged in the sport, he loved sharing photos and stories of his experiences. And if you were fortunate enough to share these adventures with him, you know Buzz was never the first to get bored.
He was a friend and mentor to many, always willing to share his skills. He expected nothing less than perfection from himself while encouraging others to strive for the same.
Many fond memories include Buzz singing and playing his acoustic guitar, enjoying classic old country music, going for rides on the back roads, and never missing a Brewers or Packers game.
He cherished his family and is survived by his beloved wife, Lillian, and his six children, William (Carol), Richard (Lisa), Terry (Jacque), Nichole (Jason), Julie (Ryan) and Melinda (Omar). He also is survived by his 10 grandchildren, Anthony, Shane (Jennifer), Casey, Brooke, Kyle (Michael), Ashley (John), Emma, Eva, Tess, and Charavari, as well as three great-grandchildren, Luna, Lydia and Parker, along with many lifelong special friends, other family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother; his mother-in-law, Mabel Zielinski; and his dear friends, Frank (Buddy) Bender and Daniel Bender.
From fiercely competitive cribbage playing to hunting and everything in between, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who brought joy to Buzz’s life by assisting and ensuring Buzz continued to stay as active as possible in recent years.
Additionally, we extend our sincere thanks to the Houzner family, the Elroy/Mauston ambulance and paramedic crews, med-flight crew, and the many medical staff who have cared for Buzz over the past few years, especially during the final days.
His kind smile, wisdom, and witty humor will be missed.
As Buzz wished, a Celebration of Life is scheduled for what would have been Buzz’s 83rd birthday on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. Further details will be shared at a later date.
You may have heard him recite: “There is never enough time to do it right, but there is always enough time to do it over.” In Buzz’s memory, always strive to do it right the first time.
The Picha Funeral Home of Elroy is assisting the family. For online information, please visit www.pichafuneralhomes.com.
