SR0107 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0107 LRB101 07036 ALS 52072 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Erik K. Jensen, who passed away on November 29, 2018 at the age of 89; and

WHEREAS, Erik Jensen was born on December 18, 1928; he served in the United States Army during the Korean War; and

WHEREAS, Erik Jensen was a fixture in Oak Park as a restaurateur; he owned and operated Nielsen's Restaurant in Elmwood Park, which was opened by Aksel Nielsen, his father-in-law, in the 1940s; in the 1980s, he opened both Erik's Deli and Erik and Me in Oak Park; generations of families dined at his restaurants, and Dan Haley, publisher of The Wednesday Journal, described Erik's Deli as a pioneering hot spot, "an immediate smash, catering to different crowds, different parts of the day"; he also noted that it "was filled with moms and strollers late morning, local business folks at noon, high schoolers after the afternoon bell, and families crowded in for dinner"; and

WHEREAS, Erik Jensen retired from the restaurant business in 1987; he then began a second career as executive director of the Illinois Restaurant Association and as a board member of the National Restaurant Association; he was a member of the River Forest Tennis Club, the West Cook YMCA board, and the Lions Club; he was a longtime member of United Lutheran Church in Oak Park; he donated his time and efforts to West Suburban P.A.D.S., now Housing Forward, and West Suburban Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Erik Jensen learned to snow ski at the age of 40, was an avid water skier, enjoyed parasailing, and was a passionate sailor who enjoyed being on the lake; he was dapper and distinguished; he provided the young people he employed with tremendous opportunities, along with kind and generous advice; the positive culture he developed in his restaurants created many long-lasting relationships; and

WHEREAS, Erik Jensen was the husband of Bebsie (Nielsen), the father of Kimberly (Bruce) Wojack and Dawn Jensen, the grandfather of Erik Jacob "Jake" and Emma Jensen Wojack, the brother of John (Marion) Jensen, the late Erving (Beverly) Jensen, and Edna McLain, the brother-in-law of Pearl (James) Gould, and the uncle of many; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Erik K. Jensen and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

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