Obituary: Robert "BJ" Jenski

Robert "BJ" Jenski, 69, died Jan. 27, 2023. He passed peacefully in his home following a lengthy illness. A celebration of life will be held in the spring.

BJ was born March 5, 1953 in Cloquet to Mary and Tony Jenski. He graduated from Cloquet High School and attended the University of Minnesota Duluth. He moved to Alaska in 1972 and lived in Eagle River.

After a few years he purchased the Independence Lodge in Hatcher Pass and the Palmer Tesoro. In 1978 he married Jan and moved to Lazy Mountain in Palmer. He started Mat-Su Mechanical and later started BJ's Services with his brother, Jim. BJ ran "the shop" until retiring in 2013.

In retirement, he spent his time fixing tractors, boats and farming with his son AJ and Kari. BJ was an avid hunter and fisherman. He truly loved to catch fish, though frequently spent most of his time baiting everyone else's hooks. His intelligence capacity was like a treasure chest.

A conversation with BJ was always interesting and informative. Many considered him their mentor in the automotive repair field. He had a way of teaching while empowering.

He is survived by his wife, Jan; daughter and son-in-law, Dana Jenski and Jeff Lathrom; son and daughter in-law, AJ and Kari Jenski; sister Elsie Crisler; and sister-in-law, Kathy Jenski. He enjoyed and was proud of his five grandchildren, Kobie, Riley, Bronwyn, Eowyn and Evie. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Jim and David; sister Julie; brother-in-law Jerry; and cousin Mark Klejeski.

The family will announce the date of the Celebration of Life in the near future.

Pine Knot News, Feb. 17, 2023