Good-bye, Old Friend

The crowd gathered for Jens Tennefos’ funeral Wednesday rivaled the populations of most small towns across North Dakota.

It was a fitting tribute for a community pillar who stood taller than most people in most any crowd.

The people gathered all had their own Jens Tennefos stories. But there were common themes. Jens had an amazing way of touching people’s lives.

He was strong as a bull, at times. He was sensitive as a teddy bear, at times. He was consistent in his moral stances. He was a champion of community participation.

We join the throngs of folks reminiscing this week as we individually and collectively let go of one of our great civic leaders. We especially send our love and prayers to his wife Jeanne, their children, grandchildren and family.

Jens became something of an adoptive father to this writer in the past few years, starting in 2002.

He was a stalwart force in the Save the Jail effort and was there every step of the way through a painful lawsuit between the citizens and the county, a case currently pending before the North Dakota Supreme Court for the second time.

Jens Tennefos cried on the witness stand. He absolutely wore his heart on his sleeve.

But, more importantly, throughout the process, he was an extraordinary example of citizen engagement. He lived and breathed public service.

Good teacher that he was, he brought generations of experience to the table. Sage advice. Strategic insight. Unyielding principles.

Dogged in his determination, one of Jens’ most visible characteristics was what we’d lovingly call his walk-directly-into-the-fire approach to differences of opinion. He’d look his adversaries in the eye. He’d go there first, not second, not last.

It was always easier to have Jens Tennefos on your side than across the aisle over some current issue he felt passionately about. Even his friends at times felt his wrath, his force of character. No one was immutable when Jens Tennefos was focused on shifting their position.

Win or lose, it was easy to respect him. Immensely.

And that was evident Wednesday.

Oak Grove School was near and dear to Jens and Jeanne Tennefos. Olivet Lutheran Church was his second home in many respects. Stories of his grand children and their ball games and school achievements abounded.

Stories about everything. Meandering stories with many ups and downs, and always a moral to the story, literal or figurative.

Jens loved public speaking and telling stories. He combined the two in his own trademark Jens Tennefos way.
“Let’s go back to the beginning…” he’d start. And you’d know you were in for another classic Jens journey.

His heart went out to people facing tragedy or loss. Politics did not interfere with matters of the heart. Some of his favorite stories revolved around how people worked through tough times, how they would carry each other, how they would find strength in each other—of course, with a towering Jens Tennefos in the fray.

North Dakota lost one of its greats a week ago. But on the other hand, North Dakota experienced greatness in Jens Tennefos in ways that will endure and inspire. A towering leader with impeccable stature, we are all better off because of Jens Tennefos.
Godspeed, Yens Yunier, Godspeed and thanks, a special thanks, old friend.