Gunnar S. Jenson,, 82,of South Bend, IN, passed at his home under Hospice care on Oct. 25, 2015, after a brief battle with inoperable cancer. Gunnar was born Sept. 20, 1933 in Harvey, IL. His parents, John and Nelly Jenson were Swedish immigrants. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Gunnar William. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 42 years, Sharon and faithful companion, Governor. He was a 1951 graduate of Culver Academies and a 1956 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. As a naval aviator, he had the honor of being one of the first three student pilots to fly at supersonic speed. Upon signing out of the Navy in 1962, he went back to the Chicago area and became vice president of his then father-in-law's road construction business. Later, he moved to South Bend and was a pilot for Clyde Williams & Associates. Gunnar was a very intelligent and innovative man. One of his main goals was to speed up the U.S. Patent Office processing, finally accomplishing this goal in 2011. His book, Gunnar's Learning Curves, describes these efforts as well as some details of his life. In 1998, he helped organize a Grumman F11F Tiger jet dedication at Grissom Air Museum. At this dedication, the Navy Blue Angels did a "fly over" and later, an exciting air show. 

Thank you to Hospice for providing comfort in his last days. Gunnar lived a wonderful and full life. It was time for the "Last Call". Funeral services will be 4:00 p.m. Friday, October 30th at Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road. Friends may visit with the family from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service on Friday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pets Connect, P.O. Box 8104, South Bend, IN 46660. Private burial will be held at Maple Lawn Cemetery, Flora, Indiana. 

Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at www.welsheimer.com.