Roger William Kensmoe, 92, passed peacefully on April 13, 2024, at the Dove Healthcare
Facility in Osseo, Wisconsin.
Roger was born to Oscar and Ella (Halverson) Kensmoe on April 2 nd , 1932, on the family farm in
Pleasantville, Wisconsin, where he grew up with his six siblings, Harriet, Beatrice, Emilie,
Melford, Orlan, and Kenneth. In 1950 Roger graduated at the top of his class from Memorial
High School in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
In 1951 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving as a Sonar Operator during the Korean War.
While serving he completed a “world tour”, visiting 52 countries. Later, he was operating the
sonar equipment when he received a “ping” for the splash-down location of the first-ever
unmanned rocket launched by the United States. Roger was incredibly proud of his time
serving, and in June of 2023, he was honored for his service at the Highgrounds Veterans’
Memorial Park in Neillsville, WI.
On December 10 th , 1955, he married Mary Jane Otto. Roger and Mary raised six children
together and lived in Eau Claire, Foster, and Cleghorn before finally settling in Strum where they
raised their family.
After leaving the Navy in 1955, Roger worked for some time as an auto mechanic before joining
Uniroyal as a batch maker. While working at Uniroyal he also began farming. Roger stayed with
Uniroyal for 38 years before retiring.
Roger was an avid Packers and Brewers fan and never missed a game. He also loved to go
deer hunting and continued to hunt well into his 80s. Roger was well known for his quick wit and
great sense of humor.
He is survived by his children; Dan Kensmoe, William (Julie) Kensmoe, Jeanine (Paul) Windjue,
Mike (Debbie) Kensmoe, Doug Kensmoe, and Tom (Sara) Kensmoe, honorary son Tim Engen,
grandchildren; Bradley (Mandy) Kensmoe, Derick (Kelly) Kensmoe, Ashley (Shawn) Gray,
Bailee (Aaron) Corlett, Kaylene and Nicole Windjue, Dana (Travis) Hollister, Erin (Ben Woychik)
Kensmoe, and Kate (Tommy) Torkelson, and great-grandchildren; Quinn and Gracey Kensmoe,
Camryn and David Corlett, Allison Stewart, Austin Radle, Landyn and Luca Windjue, and Gabi,
Matt, and Casey Hollister, as well as many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Mary, his parents, Oscar and Ella Kensmoe, his six
siblings, his daughter-in-law Cindy, and many friends.
A visitation will be held the night of Thursday, April 18 th at the Schiefelbein Funeral Home in
Osseo, WI, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. An hour of visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to
11:00 a.m. prior to funeral services on Friday, April 19 th at the Chimney Rock Lutheran Church in
Strum, WI. Funeral services will start at 11:00 a.m., and a committal service and burial will take
place at Rest Haven Cemetery in Eau Claire, WI. Military honors will be performed graveside.
The family would like to give special thanks to Nancy and the rest of the staff at Dove
Healthcare Center for all their love and care.