Date of Birth:
Sunday, July 15, 1951
Date of Death:
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Age:
74 years old

Joseph John Jennison

Joseph John “Joe” Jennison, age 74, of Rochester, Minnesota, passed away on April 21, 2026 after a courageous 3 ½ year battle with metastatic lung cancer. He was born on July 15, 1951, in Winona, Minnesota, to John and Margaret (Fallon) Jennison.

Joe was a graduate of Mayo High School and went on to build a life centered around hard work, family, and the outdoors. He dedicated 30 years of service as a meter reader for Rochester Public Utilities before retiring in 2010. Known for his strong will and steady nature, Joe was also a friendly and familiar face to many in the community, as he genuinely enjoyed meeting and talking with people.

Joe had a deep love for the outdoors. He enjoyed turkey, pheasant and deer hunting, fishing, and especially treasured trips to Lake of the Woods with his sons and grandsons. He found great joy in watching his children and grandchildren participate in their own sporting events, always cheering them on with pride.

He was a devoted sports fan and an active participant, playing softball for nearly 50 years and continuing in a senior softball league well into his later years. In 2008, Joe was inducted into the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame. Joe also loved to travel. One of his favorite trips with his wife Shirley was a trip back to his mother’s roots in Ireland. He had a passion for music, especially hits from the 1960s, Joe also appreciated plays and theater.

Family meant everything to Joe. He was a proud father and grandfather who valued connection and loyalty. While he could be strong-willed, those who earned his trust became part of his close inner circle. He had a playful sense of humor and loved to tease, always in good fun.

Joe was married to Elaine Johnson in October 1972, and together they had two sons. They later divorced. On October 10, 1992, he married Shirley Kramer at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Rochester, and they shared many years together.

Joe is survived by his wife, Shirley; his sons, Tony (Anna) Jennison and Andy (Heidi Versteeg) Jennison; his beloved grandchildren, Michael, Elizabeth, Amelia, Evelyn, Caleb, Isaac, and Elaina Jennison; sisters-in-law, Myrna Jennison and Barb Jennison; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his two brothers, Jack and Jim Jennison.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Konstantinos Leventakos and the lung team in medical oncology, Jennifer Bold, NP in family medicine, Joe’s palliative care team and Mayo Clinic Hospice for all the wonderful and compassionate care

A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 1, 2026 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home, 1105 12^th St. SE Rochester. Visitation will be 9:30 a.m. until time of the service. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester.

Joe will be remembered for his love of family, his passion for sports and the outdoors, and the lasting connections he made throughout his life.