Jens Otto Gunelson of River Falls, Wis., passed away at the U of M East Bank Campus in Minneapolis on Jan. 31, 2024, at the age of 79, after multiple battles with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. Jens was preceded in death by his parents Otto and Cecilia Gunelson, his sister Kathryn Vleck and sister-in-law Vera. He is survived by his only child: Jordan Reisdorph; four grandchildren: Naomi Gunelson, Khalea Gunelson, William Reisdorph, and Max Reisdorph; great-granddaughter Hazel Gunelson and six siblings: Sr. Mary Cecile, George, John, Richard (Sherry), Peter (Linda), and Donald. Jens, the first-born son, was born in Redwood Falls, Minn., on Oct. 30, 1944, and named after his grandfather Jens Simon Gunelson.
He lived in Belview, Minn., until moving to Mankato in 1964, where he earned his BA in English. The same year he earned his degree (1968), he enlisted in the Army. He knew he would be drafted and didn’t want to be placed in the war zone, so instead he enlisted in the Army intelligence unit, where he learned Vietnamese and taught recruits. It was in Vietnam where he discovered his passion for photography and decided to pursue a career in the field. Upon his return to the U.S., he pursued a master’s degree in instructional media and technology at Mankato. In 1977, he was hired by the University of Wisconsin-River Falls as the campus photographer, where he remained for nearly 34 years.
Jens had many talents and interests that went beyond photography including a knack with computers, woodworking, gardening, and a love for all animals (especially his dogs). He wrote his own software, reassembled faulty computers, and found many other outlets for his enjoyment of technology. Jens purchased his home in 1984 and took every opportunity to put his craftsmanship skills to work. Some of his projects included restoring the original hardwood floors, putting up new siding, replacing the windows and designing and building custom furniture.
It was around this time that he became involved with the Unitarian Universalist Society, where he was recognized as one of the founding members of UUSRF and remained devoted to the church for over 30 years. Jens played many roles there from gardening to putting together the weekly slideshow for the service. He ran the slideshow from a room that overlooked the service, earning him the nickname “the man upstairs.”
Jens had many passions, but they all took a backseat to the health and happiness of his family. He played a monumental role in raising his daughter, and then his grandkids, and was often the “good cop” when a grandchild found themselves in trouble with their mother. His love and compassion for his family exceeded conditional standards. Even at the end of his time, he was solely concerned with his family’s well-being. Jens’ kind heart, selflessness, generosity and love will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him.
All are welcome to join a celebration of life for Jens’ legacy on Sunday, March 17, 2024, from 2-5 p.m. in the Falcon’s Nest at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
