Terrence Lensing

Terrence Joseph Lensing of Deforest, WI, age 84, died Thursday, October 1st, 2026 at home, with loving family by his side.

Terry was born January 2, 1942, to Jerome and Oda (Holthaus) Lensing at the Decorah, Iowa, hospital during a huge snowstorm. His mother went to the hospital in a snowplow. He was the oldest of 13 children. He attended Our Lady of Seven Dolors School in Festina, IA, through tenth grade, and graduated from DeSales Central Catholic High in Ossian, IA, Class of 1960. He briefly attended Loris College in Dubuque, IA. He married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Zweibohmer, on August 18, 1962 at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Postville, IA. To this union, 4 sons were born.

Terry worked for his dad for 2 years with Festina Feed & Supply and Lensing’s Quality Egg Company. In 1964, he started working for Sears & Roebuck in Milwaukee in their service station on Forest Home Ave. Later he moved up to Menswear Manager. In 1983, he was transferred to Minneapolis in their Corporate Offices. In 1988, he went to Grand Forks, ND as the assistant store manager. In 1989, he relocated to Madison, WI as a hardware manager and later District Facility Manager. After 40 years with Sears, he retired. He was a member of St Olaf Catholic Church in Deforest where he served as an usher. He was a 3rd Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. He loved to read, golf, maintain the yard, make bird feeders & bird houses, travel with his wife in their RV, and was a true handyman. He was well-known for his expertise in making Brandy Old Fashioneds and Christmas peanut brittle.

Terry is survived by his loving wife Shirley of 64 years; four sons: Jeffrey (Cathy) Lensing of Andover, MN; Christopher (Tammy) Lensing of Waterford, WI; Cory Lensing of Deforest, WI; and Andrew Lensing of Stevens Point, WI. Five grandchildren: Brittny (Brandon) Witt of Waterford, WI; Casey (Sam) Rogde of Fridley, MN; Ben Lensing of Andover, MN; Bowyn and Will Lensing of Stevens Point, WI. Five great grandchildren: Alanna and Jameson Witt of Waterford, WI; Cecelia and Carmen Rogde of Fridley, MN; & Aiden Witt of Waterford, WI. He is also survived by 8 siblings: Don (Mary Lou) Lensing of Decorah, IA; Marcellus (Peggy) of Decorah, IA; Jerome (Marilyn) Lensing of Tucson, AZ; Mary (Terry) Wenthold of Festina, IA; Tubby (Christi) of Tucson, AZ; Anne (Bob) Price of Tucson, AZ; Bill Lensing of Tucson, AZ; and Charles (Peg) of Decorah, IA; and sisters-in-law Doris (Robert) Lensing of Festina, IA. and Judy (Carol) Lensing of Decorah, IA; as well as many nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Jerome and Oda Lensing; sister Susan; 3 brothers: Robert, Dean and Carol; and grandchild, Nathan Lensing (died in infancy.)

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Agrace Hospice.