SR0107LRB101 07036 ALS 52072 r

1
SENATE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to
3learn of the death of Erik K. Jensen, who passed away on
4November 29, 2018 at the age of 89; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Erik Jensen was born on December 18, 1928; he
6served in the United States Army during the Korean War; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Erik Jensen was a fixture in Oak Park as a
8restaurateur; he owned and operated Nielsen's Restaurant in
9Elmwood Park, which was opened by Aksel Nielsen, his
10father-in-law, in the 1940s; in the 1980s, he opened both
11Erik's Deli and Erik and Me in Oak Park; generations of
12families dined at his restaurants, and Dan Haley, publisher of
13The Wednesday Journal, described Erik's Deli as a pioneering
14hot spot, "an immediate smash, catering to different crowds,
15different parts of the day"; he also noted that it "was filled
16with moms and strollers late morning, local business folks at
17noon, high schoolers after the afternoon bell, and families
18crowded in for dinner"; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Erik Jensen retired from the restaurant business
20in 1987; he then began a second career as executive director of
21the Illinois Restaurant Association and as a board member of
22the National Restaurant Association; he was a member of the

 

 

SR0107- 2 -LRB101 07036 ALS 52072 r

1River Forest Tennis Club, the West Cook YMCA board, and the
2Lions Club; he was a longtime member of United Lutheran Church
3in Oak Park; he donated his time and efforts to West Suburban
4P.A.D.S., now Housing Forward, and West Suburban Hospital; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Erik Jensen learned to snow ski at the age of 40,
6was an avid water skier, enjoyed parasailing, and was a
7passionate sailor who enjoyed being on the lake; he was dapper
8and distinguished; he provided the young people he employed
9with tremendous opportunities, along with kind and generous
10advice; the positive culture he developed in his restaurants
11created many long-lasting relationships; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Erik Jensen was the husband of Bebsie (Nielsen),
13the father of Kimberly (Bruce) Wojack and Dawn Jensen, the
14grandfather of Erik Jacob "Jake" and Emma Jensen Wojack, the
15brother of John (Marion) Jensen, the late Erving (Beverly)
16Jensen, and Edna McLain, the brother-in-law of Pearl (James)
17Gould, and the uncle of many; therefore, be it
 
18    RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL
19ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of
20Erik K. Jensen and extend our sincere condolences to his
21family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it
22further
 

 

 

SR0107- 3 -LRB101 07036 ALS 52072 r

1    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
2presented to the family of Erik Jensen as an expression of our
3deepest sympathy.