James "Jimmy" E. Jenson Sr.

James E. Jenson Sr. (AKA: Jimmy Jenson, “The Swingin’ Swede”) age 84 of Alexandria died on Friday, August 7, 2015 at Bethany Home. A Funeral Service will be held 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 13, 2015 at New Life Christian Church in Alexandria. Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at New Life Christian Church from 4-7 PM with a prayer service at 6:30 PM and visitation one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Memorials are preferred to LifeRight Outreach, New Life Christian Church, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) or The American Cancer Society. OBITUARY James Edward Jenson, Sr. (aka Jimmy Jenson “The Swingin’ Swede”) was born on February 8, 1931 in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota to Ernest and Inez (Hamilton) Jenson. He was raised on a farm in Glyndon, MN, and started performing with his accordion at age eight. He formed his first band, the Musicales, as a teenager, followed by The Minnesota Woodchoppers, the Lynn Neely Band, and played for over 60 years in dance halls and clubs across the upper Midwest. He appeared regularly on WDAY Party Line in Fargo, and later with Nashville country stars at The Flame and Brady’s in Minneapolis. He recorded the famous “Walkin’ in My Winter Underwear” popularized on the program “Lunch With Casey” on WTCN in Minneapolis. KXRA in Alexandria, MN has interviewed Jimmy and broadcast his music for more than 40 years. In 2005, he was inducted into the Midwest Country Music Hall of Fame. Jimmy had two children with his first wife, Donnabelle Brown, and married Helen Joanne Tiseth in 1957. Together over 42 years they raised five children, and resided in Minneapolis until 1965 when they moved to Alexandria, MN. There, they were owners of the Hillside Club. Jimmy recorded over 12 albums and CDs, and was known for his humorous Scandinavian renditions. During the past six years he played and recorded gospel music. Jimmy was a humble, loving man who shared his unique musical talents to raise his family. He entertained people throughout his life. Jimmy died on Friday, August 7, 2015 at Bethany Home in Alexandria at the age of 84. He is survived by his children Judy (Allen) Dudgeon of Fargo, ND, Randy Jenson of Sartell, MN, Kim Jenson (Tom Elsen) of Chicago, IL, Suzanne Jenson of So. St. Paul, MN, James Jenson Jr. (Rochelle) of Alexandria, MN, Cheryl Radmacher (Jack Tuckner) of Maplewood, MN, and Mark (Vicky) Jenson of Alexandria. Grandchildren, Michael (Kimberly) Jenson, James (Gretchen) Jenson III, Jessica (Eric) Schmidt, Lindsay (Chris) Becker, Drew Dempsey, Jenna Dempsey, Jamie Lee Jenson, Sam Jenson, Anna Jenson, Ben Jenson, Wyatt Jenson, Miranda Jenson, Elijah Holthaus, John (Jessi) Radmacher, Tim (Kaitlin) Radmacher, Mark Radmacher; Great grandchildren, Andrew, Stephanie, Kobe, Fiona, Gavyn, Maya and Quinn; sister, Karen (Duane) Haugerud of Hillsboro, ND; cousin Bob (Midge) Jenson, Milton, FL, and many nieces and nephews. Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Inez; wife, Helen; and siblings, Donald Jenson, Robert Jenson, Jerry Jenson, and Carol ("Katie") Jenson. A funeral service was held on Thursday, August 13, 2015 at New Life Christian Church in Alexandria with Pastor John Taplin officiating. Interment was in Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria.

James "Jimmy" E. Jenson Sr.

February 8, 1931 - August 7, 2015