David J. Jensen, age 84, of Random Lake, passed away on April 16, 2023 at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice with family at his side. Formerly residing in Sheboygan, he was born on December 6, 1938, son of Fulton and Leona (Schneider) Jensen. He attended Central High School graduating with the class of 1957. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served from 1958 to 1962 being stationed at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina. He married Polly Ann Wiggins in 1960.
After discharge from the Air Force, he returned to his hometown of Sheboygan working at General Machine and Hayssen Mfg. Dave also worked as a part-time bartender for both the Elk’s Club and the Sheboygan Yacht Club. He retired in December 1999, after 34 years of service with the United States Postal Service as a city letter carrier in Sheboygan. He married Barbara Portschy on September 29, 1998 in Nassau, Bahamas.
What started as a hobby that Dave says “got out of hand” turned into a passion for nearly 70 years as a motorsport photographer beginning at age 15 when he bought his first camera. His photos were published in many programs, books, and newspapers – Midwest Racing News and Checkered Flag. He photographed numerous races across the country starting locally at Road America, Elkhart Lake and the Milwaukee Mile enjoying all the different racing series: NASCAR, CART, IndyCar as well as dirt track racing at the Plymouth Fairgrounds. He was honored to have taken pictures at the first NASCAR Cup Series race at Road America in Elkhart Lake in August 1956 and again at the second NASCAR Cup Series at Road America in July 2021, a span covering 65 years.
Besides motorsports photography, Dave also enjoyed Lake Michigan charter fishing with friends, attending Green Bay Packer games in the early years, family gatherings and dining out. Dave and Barb were avid travelers in both the United States and overseas. He was a member of St. John’s UCC in Random Lake and the American Legion Post 83.
David is survived by his wife of 24 years, Barbara; five children, Elizabeth (Jon) Gumtow of Neenah, Kathy (Joe) Jensen-Gorr of St. Nazianz, Sandra Jensen (Jim Schneider) of Campbellsport, Michael (Kathryn) Jensen of Sheboygan and Linda Van Egeren of Green Bay; stepchildren, Michele (Kurt) Dulmes of Hingham, Michael (Jennifer) Portschy of Solon, Ohio and Marianne (Ryan) Harris of Oostburg; seven grandchildren, Bradley and Andrew Gumtow, Devin and Conner Bayer, Tyler and Alivia Jensen and Ty Van Egeren; seven step grandchildren, Morgan and Kelsie Dulmes, Aleena and Nola Harris, Grace, Riley and Joey Portschy.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and former wife Polly Ann.
Visitation will be at Reinbold-Novak Funeral Home, 1535 S. 12th St., Sheboygan, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 20, 2023 with service beginning at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made out to Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice. Interment will take place at Sheboygan Falls Cemetery.
A sincere thank you to all the caregivers at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for their patience and compassion during this difficult time.
“Dave, my kind and thoughtful best friend and adventurer, thank you for the joy you brought to me in sharing your life. Missing you, loving you – always and forever.” – Barb
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