Jon Jensen, 85, Owatonna
Jon Julius Jensen, age 85, of Owatonna, died peacefully on Dec. 19, 2024, after a courageous eight plus year battle with cancer, with his children by his side.
Jon Julius Jensen was born March 17, 1939, at his family’s home in Seneca, Iowa, to Millen and Blanche (Appelt) Jensen. At the age of nine, Jon moved with his family to Hayfield, where he completed high school, graduating with the Class of 1957. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army in California before he returned to Minnesota.
Jon met Lila June Farrell at United Skates in Brownsdale. They were united in marriage in 1963 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hayfield. The couple made their home in Owatonna. They were blessed with two children: Michael and Mary.
Jon started his printing career at Jostens in Owatonna where he worked a second shift job in their print plant. With the birth of Michael, Jon made the decision to leave Jostens for a day opportunity at Federated Insurance Company’s in-house print plant. He was with Federated for over 14 years. His experience at Federated, including a couple of partnerships, helped Jon to expand his printing knowledge. Jon felt the itch to be a part of his own printing operation. Eventually in 1981, he branched out on his own starting M&M Printing – later renamed to Tri M Graphics. Jon truly had an entrepreneurial spirit, growing his business out of his garage to the national and international reach that it has today.
Jon has always had a gift for woodworking. Over the years, he made many family heirlooms including rocking horses, bookshelves, tables and more. This past year, as his cancer continued to advance, he found his garage workshop and time with his grandson, Cameron, a great escape from the pain that he was enduring. Together they made treasured memories.
Jon was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Medford. He participated in many of their leadership opportunities, studies, and more. Jon also brought his skill for woodworking to the church where his gift is present throughout the building.
Jon was rooted in his faith and read scripture daily. Jon had a unique way of connecting with people by actively living out his faith. Jon found many opportunities to share his cancer journey with others that were facing this horrible disease. He lifted up those he encountered with hope for the future.
Jon is survived by his wife, Lila Jensen of Owatonna; children Michael (Brenda) Jensen of Owatonna, and Mary (Michael) Snuffer of Maple Plain; grandchildren: Katherine (David) Wetterstrom of Plymouth, Zachary Snuffer of Long Lake, Cameron Jensen of Owatonna, Adrian Snuffer of Los Angeles, Sheldon Jensen of Sioux Falls, Josiah Snuffer of Minneapolis,
and Ashton Jensen of Owatonna; great-grandchildren Cora and Laurel Wetterstrom; siblings: Margaret Haukom of Austin, Bill of Kasson, Blaine of Askov, Minn., and Joe (Marsha) of Austin; sister-in-law Terry Jensen of Casa Grande, Ariz.; and many other family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Mark and James.
Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, from 3-7 p.m. at Brick-Meger Funeral Home, 1603 Austin Road, Owatonna. Funeral service will be Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 102 3rd St. SW, Medford, with visitation continuing at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Funeral services will be live-streamed and can be viewed by clicking "Watch Webcast" in Event information below.
Interment will be at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Medford, with Military Honors provided by the Steele County Funeral Unit, at a date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Jon's memory be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, Medford, or to the Steele County Historical Society, Owatonna.