Paul Max Bjerre Jensen

Paul (Poul Max) was born in Hørby, Vendsyssel, Denmark June 3, 1931, and was raised in Vejle, Denmark during World War II. Although he was too young to participate in that war, he joined the Danish army at 18, completed his service, and left for America soon after. He made his way by bus to Seattle, speaking very little English, secured a job and started his new life in the USA. Imagine his surprise when he had a visit from the American military who informed him those notices he had thrown away (at this point he couldn’t read much English) were papers telling him he was drafted into the US army. By this time, he had met the love of his life Mary Lou, who waited for him to return after his stint as a tank gunner with the Tank Company of the 5th Infantry Regiment, patrolling the German border during the Cold War. They married in 1958 and were blessed with 62 years of marriage, living most of those years in the house Mary Lou’s father built in the Green Lake area.

Thanks to the GI bill, Paul was able to train as a pilot. His second love was flying, and he was a flight instructor for Galvin’s Flying Service, as well as flying commercial cargo to Alaska, on top of his job with Safeway in the meat distribution warehouse. Paul lived life to the fullest, enjoying going to dances with Mary Lou, working in his garden, cooking, and volunteering for many years as a docent at the Museum of Flight, after he retired. He was a longstanding member of the Masons, as well as the local Danish Club and enjoyed their dinners and gatherings.

Paul would regale his friends and family with tales of his flying exploits, and of his years of service in both armies. With his passing, we lose a part of that era. We will do our best to keep those tales alive.

He and Mary Lou also enjoyed traveling and they were able to go to Europe several times to visit his family there. His Danish family regularly came to visit them in Seattle. Paul was a proud American, and happy with the life he forged in this country, but a part of his heart always remained in Denmark.

He was predeceased by both his parents, his wife Mary Lou, his brother Bent, and his sister Anna. He is survived by his sister Mariane (Ole) Nørmølle Larsen, his nieces Anne Mette (Finn) Sørensen, Henriette (Tobias) Nørmølle Buttenschön Holly (Louis) Petersen, nephews Rick (Karen Mulcahy) Rottman and Dan Rottman, his great-nieces Louise (Andreas Knudsen), Karin (Tyler) Parmelee, and great-nephew Erik (Kristen) Rottman.

The family hopes to hold a memorial celebration of life for both Paul and Mary Lou Jensen in the spring of 2022 and accompany Paul’s ashes home to Denmark in the new year.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Evergreen-Washelli.com for the Jensen family.