Randall Jay Jensen

Randall Jay Jensen was born on January 29, 1957 in Albert Lea, Minnesota to James and Leona (Milligan) Jensen.  He was baptized and confirmed at North Freeborn Lutheran Church and graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1975.  He spent his childhood traveling all over the country with his family and helping out on the family farm. In 1985, he was united in marriage to Paula Jacobson.  In their 18 years together they had one daughter, Hayley Renee, and he also loved being a step-father to Paula’s two daughters, Kim and Karie Otterson.   He was a loyal employee of Freeborn County where he served as maintenance director for the past 33 years.  It was through this job that he met his fiancée, Gina Gullickson. He was a member of East Freeborn Lutheran Church and enjoyed his role there as a deacon, even if it meant being a greeter several weeks in a row because he forgot it was his month to line up volunteers.  Randy enjoyed the outdoors and loved spending his time in a deer stand, a fishing boat or splitting wood.  He could often be found walking through his woods and playing with his grandsons in the tree house they built together.  He loved riding his motorcycle and often took the scenic route to his destinations.   He had an incredible sense of humor and found so much joy in making others laugh with his jokes.  His family often found themselves suckered into tasting his “unique” recipes, which could include anything from squirrel meat to pickled eggs. Around holidays and birthdays, his friends and family became accustomed to his very thoughtful, though a bit eccentric, gifts.  He loved to play cards, visit the casino, and looked forward to his lunch dates with his daughter and grandchildren.  He was also proud of his fictional mosquito family, The Skeeter Breeder Society, and dreamed of having his book published some day.  Above all else, spending time with his family was his top priority.  His daughter and grandchildren were his pride and joy, and he valued his relationships with all of his family and friends.  

He is survived by his daughter, Hayley Farris and her husband, Nick, of Alden, his grandchildren, Laiken, Edison and Faith; his fiancée, Gina Gullickson, of Albert Lea, and her children, Dalton, Daniel (Jessica Knudson), and Alexis, and Gina’s grandson, Tripp Gullickson; stepdaughters Kimberly Chapman of Temple, TX, and Karie (Jeremy) Zierden of Albert Lea, and step-grandchildren Logan and Paige Zierden; siblings Allen (Kathy) Jensen of Albert Lea, Sandra (Maynard) Pick of Cold Spring, MN, Marlin (Lillian) Jensen of Robinsdale, MN, and Renee (Bob) Novak of Montgomery, MN; as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Leona Jensen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Randy’s memory and in honor of his grandchildren, Laiken and Faith, to the National Urea Cycle Disorder Foundation at 75 South Grand Avenue, Pasadena, CA, 91105.