Jens Steven Rask

Jens Steven Rask passed away unexpectedly at home Friday, December 5, 2014, with his wife at his side. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, May 22, 1928, the first child of Jens Kristian and Vera Belehrad Rask. He graduated from Arlington High School and Lake Forest College in Illinois, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. After graduation he married Lois Andersen in 1950 and had two daughters, Patti and Lori.

The family moved to Ft Lauderdale, Florida, in 1955, where he owned Jens’ Sandwich Shop on the beach across from the Casino Pool, after learning the trade for two weeks at the first McDonald's Restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois, with the founder of McDonald's, Ray Croc. Jens then, in 1960, began working with his uncle in Ft. Lauderdale in the building/construction business and started his own business as Jens S. Rask Construction, Inc. He developed Jenada Isle, Wilton Manor’s first high-end development, as well as many homes, businesses, and churches in the area. He was known for the quality of his work, his honesty, and reliability.

The family attended Peace Lutheran Church for many years and was very involved with Pastor Al Luehmann and the ministries there. He and Lois retired to Tallahassee in 1992. Lois passed away in 1995 and he met and married Helen Barrett Howell in October, 1996. As retired people do, they made lengthy driving trips, visiting all of the wonderful United States, except Hawaii, each year---the last trip being Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana this year.

He enjoyed his hobbies of photography, his extensive gardening, and sitting in his favorite recliner in the sunshine at the window or on the bench under the big oak tree or in the hammock, reading his National Geographic Magazine. Jens looked forward to his weekly lunch-date with his longtime friend Dave Edstrom who also moved to Tallahassee from Ft. Lauderdale.

He and Helen attended Celebration Baptist Church all of their years together. He is survived by his wife Helen and his daughters--Patti (Gil) Hyatt and their children Gil IV and Mandy (Michael) Haley and Jens' great grand-children Anthony, Tyler, Joshua, and Grace Haley of Pompano Beach, Florida; his daughter Lori (David) McDaniel, and children Emily (Justin) Andrews and their child Piper; and Hannah Fredrick of Calvary, Georgia. He is also survived by step-sons Clay Newton ( Martha Edenfield) and Kendall (Lani) Howell and their children Barrett and Trenton Howell, Tallahassee; and Jens' sister Kay Doney of Lakeland, Florida.

Jens was loved and respected by family and friends and is going to be greatly missed. A Memorial Service will be held at Celebration Baptist Church in Tallahassee, on Saturday, January 17, 2015, at 3:00 PM. He was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Ft. Lauderdale, on December 17, 2014, in a private family ceremony. Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home of Tallahassee, is handling the arrangements.

WE LOVE YOU, JENS!! MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU IN HIS LOVING CARE.