Obituaries

 

Thomas L. Jenkins

PORTAGE  --  Thomas L. Jenkins, age 73, of Portage, a very kind and loving man with a wonderful heart was called home on Thursday, September 30, 2010 at the Don & Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare in Madison due to a massive stroke.

He and his brother, Merwyn, were born in Spokane, WA, to Roy and Genevieve (Rohrbeck) Jenkins.  The family returned to their roots in Wisconsin, when the boys were toddlers and were “almost” lifetime residents of Portage.  After graduating from Portage High School, Tom entered the U.S. Navy.  Upon returning to Portage, he met and married his girlfriend from “out East” (Pardeeville!).  They were married at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa on September 4, 1958.  The newly-weds moved to Arizona, where Tom received his bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University.  After working 1 ½ years for the Standard Oil of California office in Phoenix, he returned to Portage in 1963 and eventually took over the reins of the family car business, Jenkins Chrysler Center, until his retirement in 2003.  Since then he has been enjoying life to the absolute fullest.

Tom was a lifelong member of Portage United Methodist Church.  He had a great heart and wasn’t afraid to use it;  he loved his wife and his family passionately;  his quick wit and humor were enjoyed by all.  He enjoyed curling and golfing and loved the Pack, the Badgers, the Brewers, and the car business.  He wants you all to know that he did not hunt or fish!  That’s one last bit of humor he wanted to pass on to you.

As a community leader, he has been a Columbia County Supervisor (District 8) for many years;  he thoroughly studied the issues and felt he really helped to make good decisions for the county.  He was a past president of the Jaycees, Portage Curling Club, and Optimists;  former member of the Kiwanis;  and a member of the Portage Country Club.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Kay;  his children and their families, Dana Jenkins (husband, Jim Duffy) of Cambridge, Ontario, Canada;  Laurie Considine (John) of Portage and their children, Jennifer, Tommy (his wife Julia and their two daughters, Elianna and Annalise), and Stephen;  Brian (Laurel) of Oak Hill, Virginia and their children Coleman, Nelson and Riley Ann;  Jean Syens (Jason) of Portage and their children Hunter and Bobby Lane and Jackson Syens;  Jon (Erin) of Portland, Oregon.  Also surviving him is his brother, Merwyn Jenkins of Portage.  He was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Roy and Genevieve Jenkins as well as many other dear relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at Portage United Methodist Church, with Rev. Tom Countryman officiating.  Burial will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday, October 4, 2010 at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage, and at the church on Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at noon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Portage United Methodist Church.

The entire family would like to thank all the staff from Divine Savior Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital and their Neuro Intensive Care Unit, and especially the Don & Marilyn Anderson HospiceCare Center for the special care extended to our loved one during his final days.

 

 

 

Obituaries
For information please call 608 742-2126 (Portage, WI) or 608 635-2763 (Poynette, WI)