Eldon Victor Jenne

Dr. Eldon Victor Jenne was born in Beaverton, Oregon, January 13, 1923. He was raised on a farm at the corner of Cornell Rd. and Sunset Highway (26) with one older brother, Robert. He graduated from Beaverton High School in 1941.

Upon the United States entering into World War II, Eldon fulfilled his patriotic duty by enlisting in the Army Air Corps. He departed for training in Texas, Mississippi, and then Florida. He earned his wings training and flying in a variety of planes including Stearman biplanes, AT-6 Texan and finally the P-47 Thunderbolt. As his training was completed the war was ending, and in October 1945, he was honorably discharged.

Upon returning home, he kindled a courtship with Caroline Marie Nilson, whom had met through cousin Verner Gerber, who was attending the University of Portland Nursing School with Caroline. They were married January 19, 1946.

Caroline encouraged Eldon to become a Dentist, and for the next several years she worked teaching student nurses in the Eugene area while he attended classes toward that goal at the University of Oregon. After completing dental school at OHSU Dental School in Portland in 1953, Eldon and Caroline moved to Jennings Lodge, a quiet community near where the Clackamas river enters the Willamette.

Eldon started his dental practice in the neighboring town of Gladstone and Caroline assisted until sons Jon and Tom came along at the end of the fifties. He practiced until 1990, and they lived in the same home until 2006.

Eldon enjoyed private aviation and owned his own aircraft during the years of his practice. He was fond of basketball having played in high school, and shared season Trailblazer tickets from the beginning until The Rose Garden was built.

In retirement he kept busy by helping his son Tom in his business by driving or delivery of outdoor power equipment. Customers loved his friendly nature.

Eldon and Caroline would often spend a little time at the family beach house in Seaside, Oregon, or drive to Grand Ronde to try their luck at the casino there. Sometimes they would go cheer at soccer games if nieces or nephews were in town from Medford. Of course, a couple times a year they would be Reno bound for a little excursion. Eldon never missed the Reno Air Races from its inception in 1964 through 2011. That is the better part of 50 years, quite a record.

When the grandchildren came along, he switched gears and began driving deliveries of a different kind, back and forth to pre-school and kindergarten. His unconditional love was simply inspirational. The needs of the kids became a daily priority for him, and he provided a great example for them.

As Caroline’s health began to fail around 2005, Eldon sold the large home and yard to son Tom and moved around the corner into a small brick house. He cared for Caroline until her passing on New Years Day, 2008. The family helped each other through a tough period of adjustment. Eldon was able to find new purpose through family and friends, and of course tending to those grandkids and their many activities.

His twilight years were spent trying different recipes, keeping up with sports on TV, fiddling in his garden, playing a bit of Keno, and making sure that everyone else had everything they needed.

Eldon passed away September 22, 2015, at the age of 92, from complications related to age. He will be greatly missed.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2015 at 11:00 am at Finley-Sunset Hills Mortuary, 6810 SW Sunset Highway in Portland. A reception will follow the service, and interment to take place after that. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made in Eldon’s memory to the Boys and Girls Club.