Bruce A. Jessen

JESSEN, WOLFE, GERSTENBERGER, SHEARER, MYOTT, SHANNON, FORDYCE

Posted By: diane (email)
Date: 4/6/2017 at 18:13:21

Bruce A. Jessen, 78, of Oelwein, Iowa died on Friday evening, June 10, 2016 at Mercy Living Plus in Oelwein.

Memorial Service: 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein, with Deacon Jim Patera officiating.

Visitation: one hour before the service on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Inurnment: St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Hazleton, Iowa. Memorial Fund: Hub City Heritage Corporation Railroad Museum.

Bruce Arnold Jessen was born on January 18, 1938 in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the son of Arnold Frederick & Marge Louise (Wolfe) Jessen. He graduated from Ft. Dodge High School in the Class of 1956 and continued his education at Iowa State University in Ames. Bruce worked at KOEL Radio in Oelwein and then WMT Chanel 2 in Cedar Rapids. Bruce moved to Saudi Arabia and worked in television repair for two years. He returned to Oelwein and worked as an electrician for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad for 23 years. Bruce then worked at PMX in Cedar Rapids, Interstate Railroad in Iowa City, Pries in Independence and then Color Span in Cedar Rapids. He retired in 2003. Bruce was united in marriage to Mildred Mary “Millie” Gerstenberger on June 7, 1975 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hazleton. Bruce was a member of the Oelwein Historical Society, Hub City Heritage Corp., NARVRE and volunteered at the Oelwein Meal Site. He enjoyed reading and gardening.

Bruce is survived by his wife of 41 years: Millie Jessen of Oelwein; Sister: Virginia “Ginny” Shearer (John Steffen) of Walker, Minnesota; Brother-In-Law: George H. Gerstenberger of Hazleton; 11 Nieces & Nephews: Nicole Shearer of California, Jeff Shearer of California, Dan Gerstenberger of Hazleton, John Gerstenberger of Hazleton, Bill Gerstenberger of Oelwein, Connie (Rod) Myott of Lawton, Oklahoma, Charlie Shannon of Hazleton, Larry Shannon of Oelwein, Phil (Elaine) Gerstenberger of Cameron, Missouri, Randy (Andrea) Gerstenberger of Holt, Missouri & Scott (Sonja) Gerstenberger of Grimes and many great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers-in-law: Jerry Shearer, Gus Gerstenberger and Chuck Shannon; 3 sisters-in-law: Rose Shannon, Peggy Gerstenberger and Delores Gerstenberger and a niece: Chris Fordyce.