Layne Jensen

Layne Jensen, 87, of Merrill, passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at Aspirus Merrill Hospital with his family by his side.

Layne was born April 11, 1939, in Dixon, Illinois, son of Clarence and Vera (Bellin) Jensen. Layne graduated from Merrill High School in 1957 and he married his high school sweetheart Judith ‘Judy’ Berndt on October 11, 1958, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. Layne worked as a pipefitter for Taylor Insulation joining the International Association of Heat & Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local Union 127 in 1958 and retired in 2001.

No project was ever too large or intimidating for Layne, and his many talents were shown in his beautiful woodworking and stained-glass projects, many of which were given to friends over the years. He was always ready to begin a new house remodel, a new recipe or a vehicle rebuild. Layne enjoyed the outdoors spending many years camping, boating, hunting, snowmobiling, fishing and time up by his cabin in New Wood. After retirement Layne and Judy became ‘snowbirds’ traveling the US in their RV, spending winters in Arizona for 20 years.

Layne’s pride and joy was his family and valued the time spent with them. Layne’s wisdom and words of advice will be cherished forever by family and friends. He was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Merrill.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Judy Jensen of Merrill; daughter, Jilayne (Donald) Radtke of Merrill; son, Daniel (Lynn) Jensen of Merrill; grandchildren, Barbara (Adam) Schult, Gena Radtke, Matthew (Ashley) Radtke, Jesse (Casey) Jensen; nine great grandchildren; sister, Joan Hanson of Tomah; brothers, Brian (Linda) Jensen of West Bend and Barry (Jane) Jensen of Bluffton, South Carolina; sister-in-law, Pin Jensen of North Carolina and brother-in-law Tom (Julie) Berndt of Tampa Bay, Florida.

Layne was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Vera Jensen; brothers, Dale Jensen and Jon ‘Bing’ Jensen; brother-in-law, John Hanson and sister-in-law Evie Jensen.

The visitation will begin at 9:00 A.M. with the memorial service starting at 11:00 A.M. Friday, August 21, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. Rev. Scott Gustafson will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or School in Merrill.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com