Sally J. Jensen's Obituary
Sally Jean Jensen was born to Donald and Mary Jane Copps in Stevens Point, WI on January 15th, 1938 and passed away peacefully on March 2nd, 2026 with her loving family by her side.
Sally was the oldest of the 5 siblings spanning 19 years; Mike, Janie, Lucky and Liz. Sally enjoyed an idyllic childhood raised in a small town in a close-knit family. Her father was president of the family-owned Copps Corporation grocery business - a fact she was always proud of.
Summers were spent at their family cottage on the Chain O’ Lakes in Waupaca; swimming, water skiing behind the Chris-Craft, dinners at Simpson’s and dancing at big-band concerts at the famous Indian Crossing Casino. The Chain O’ Lakes was a summer paradise.
After high school, Sally was off to Mount Mercy college, a private Catholic girls’ school in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Sally was fortunate enough to go summer school at the University of Hawaii after her junior year. That summer in Hawaii opened an entirely new chapter for Sally. She took classes in Hawaiian history, ukulele, and Hawaiian dance (we’ve all seen her hula dance to the Hukilau hundreds of times!). It was during a night out at the Snooper Bar at the Reef Hotel on Waikiki Beach, that she caught the eye of a handsome young Naval officer, Richard “Dick” Jensen. He introduced himself, and from that moment on, they were inseparable. It was truly love at first sight.
After returning to the Midwest, newly in love, Sally finished college and earned her teaching degree. It would be the longest stretch she and Dick would ever spend apart for the rest of their lives and many love letters ensued. On June 24, 1961, they were married in Stevens Point and returned to Hawaii where they were stationed and Sally embraced life as a young Navy wife.
Hawaii was where they started their family and where daughter Sarah was born. From there, they were stationed in California where son Erik arrived, posted in Connecticut where Stephen was born, and then Virginia where they welcomed their youngest, Amy. With her arrival the family was complete.
The next naval adventure took them to the island of Guam; a place halfway around the world that Sally had never heard of. Off the family went for three years to enjoy the island life of snorkeling, beaches, sightseeing, and adventures in the “boonies”. From Guam they moved back to the mainland with a couple more relocations.
Dick retired from the U.S. Navy as a Commander after serving for 20 years, and the family began their new life as civilians when they settled in Appleton. Sally was primarily a homemaker, but also loved her part time work in retail at various stores; most notably The Treasure Box and The Golden Peacock. She also enjoyed some volunteer opportunities, including teaching CCD at St. Bernadette and helping out at the Food Pantry in Waupaca.
Sally’s magnetic and outgoing personality drew people to her wherever she went. We often joked that she made a new friend anytime she left the house.
Sally had a love of travel and adventure which included trips abroad, visits to Gloucester, MA to visit Dick’s family, weekend bicycling trips with friends, and family ski trips to the Upper Peninsula. Sally hated the chairlift! She was most happy drinking hot toddies in the chalet.
Sal was an avid cook and had an extensive collection of cookbooks and recipes. Her cooking could rival any restaurant around. Her specialties included fried wontons, parmesan chicken and Sunday night fondue dinners.
In retirement Sally and Dick built a beautiful home on Sunset Lake in Waupaca. They also treasured their time in Naples, Florida, where they owned a condo, splitting the seasons between locations as true “snowbirds.”
In Sally’s last few years, she accepted living in her cozy apartment at Bethany Home and enjoyed many visits from family and friends. She acquired quite a collection of spiritual books and thought often of heaven. Even when she could no longer read more than a sentence or two, having her Bible and other books about God in her lap or nearby gave her great comfort.
Our family is eternally grateful to the devoted, compassionate staff of Bethany Home for the many years of loving care they provided to both our mom and dad. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff of ThedaCare Hospice for their thoughtful, tender care.
Sally is survived by her daughter Sarah (Gert) Paynter Hasselhof, son Erik (Sara) Jensen, son Stephen (Jennifer) Jensen, and daughter Amy (Jim) Burke; her grandchildren Melissa (Zach) Rabiego, Lizzy (Jennelle Schmidt) Paynter, Abby (Michael Trainor) Paynter, Erin Kite, Elliot Kite, Jack Jensen, and Kate Jensen; her great grandchildren Ryan and Josie Rabiego. She is also survived by her sisters, Jane (Tom) Windels, Liz Stange, and brother Donald “Lucky” (Cheryl) Copps. Sally was preceded in death by her beloved husband Richard Jensen, her brother, Michael Copps; and her brother-in-law, John Stange.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 6, 2026 at Holly Funeral Home in Waupaca. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until time of service at Holly’s. Private family burial will be held at Central WI Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King. In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to ThedaCare At Home Hospice Waupaca, checks can be made out to TCAH Hospice – Waupaca, 710 Riverside Drive, Waupaca, WI 54981
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” — Psalm 23:6
What’s your fondest memory of Sally?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sally?
Share a story where Sally's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sally you’ll never forget.
How did Sally make you smile?