John Jensen

John Peter Jensen, 75, of Saint James, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2025, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, Minnesota.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James and will continue on Wednesday from 10:00 am until 11:00 am at the funeral home. Funeral service will be held at Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 11:00 am. The clergy will be the Rev. Mandy France. Interment will be at the LaSalle Lutheran Cemetery in LaSalle. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in Saint James. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

John Jensen was born on December 10, 1949, to Jens and Edna (Christensen) Jensen in Saint James, Minnesota and was raised in LaSalle, Minnesota. He was united in marriage to Patricia (Johnson) on September 27, 1969, at LaSalle Lutheran Church. John was enlisted into the Vietnam war on May 1, 1969, and was honorably discharged as a Specialist 5 on March 12, 1971. John and Pat were blessed with the arrival of their daughter, DeAnna in December of 1970 and the arrival of their daughter Shawna in September of 1974. When John returned from service, he began working for Roadways Construction, and he and Pat settled into their first home in Saint James. John opened Midwest Radiator and Exhaust in 1975, which he owned and operated into the 90s. During this time, John and Pat shared a passion for collector cars and were members of the Minnesota Street Rod Association (MSRA), National Street Rod Association (NSRA), MSRA Safety Team, Flatlanders car club, and Moonlight Express Company car club. Over the years, he and Pat had a 40 Ford sedan deluxe, 35 Ford sedan, 34 Ford sedan, and a 34 Ford Roadster. John and Pat made many friends and memories street rodding, traveling to different events, and had countless stories of the practical jokes he and his friends would play on each other. They also took several snowmobile trips with friends and family, everything from poker runs to an adventure out to Yellowstone.

John’s final career chapter was spent over-the-road trucking with his wife, putting on countless miles traveling the U.S. together. John and Pat enjoyed boating on the lake, and in 1991 they built their dream home on Long Lake near Saint James. They would go on to fill this home with grandchildren, memories, and laughter. During this time, John was a member of the Shriners Society. Throughout his life, John had a passion for motorcycles, he made friendships while traveling to rallies near and far including Sturgis, ABATE, Freedom Riders, and Geneva. John also had a passion for amateur photography and enjoyed taking photos of everything and everyone. John and Pat also had several dogs throughout their adventures together, including their bulldog, Frumpy and several pugs.

John moved to Fairmont, Minnesota in 2013, following the loss of his wife. In the summer of 2022, John moved into the Minnesota Veterans home in Luverne, Minnesota. While there, he made new friends, served as a trivia expert, and created mischief. John’s family will forever be grateful for the incredible love and care that the Veteran’s Home staff provided John during his time with them.

John did many great and interesting things during his life, but his biggest pride and joy was the family he built. More than anything, he loved to talk about his beautiful bride, their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

John has now been reunited with his wife Pat, who he missed dearly every moment since she passed. In addition to his wife, John was preceded in death by his parents, Jens and Edna Jensen and his brother, Tommy Jensen. John’s memory will be carried on by his daughters, DeAnna (Daniel) Shaikoski and Shawna (Troy) Heavirland; grandchildren, Justin (Sheila) Shaikoski, Emilee Shaikoski, Troy Jasper Heavirland, and Elizabeth Heavirland; and four great grandchildren, “his little Jojos”.

John’s family requests that any memorials be made directly to the Wantonwan County Humane Society or the Minnesota Veterans Home- Luverne.