Elsie M. "Tess" (MIKKELSEN) McMENIMEN

MIKKELSEN, MCMENIMEN, HART, PURCELL, EVANS, GELINA, SEATON, ZEIDAN, BAILEY, KOLB, HARTWELL, PETERS, ELL, JORGENSON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 10/5/2011 at 18:52:46

Obituary - Elsie M. "Tess" (Mikkelsen) McMenimen

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Elsie M. "Tess" McMENIMEN died Dec. 11, 2008, in Phoenix, Ariz.

A family service will be held in Mason City, Iowa, at a later date with interment at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa.

Survivors include her sweetie and beloved husband of over 61 years, James C. "Cash" McMENIMEN; their children, Cassandra A. HART, Dennis J. McMENIMEN and daughter-in-law, Jean DOUGLAS McMENIMEN, Michael L. McMENIMEN and daughter-in-law, Rebecca PURCELL McMENIMEN, and Mary Beth EVANS and son-in-law Glen EVANS; grandchildren Jeffrey J. GELINA, Jennifer A. SEATON (Rob), Kathryn A. McMENIMEN (Ryan ZEIDAN), Amy E. BAILEY (Sean), James D. McMENIMEN, Molly C. RAUEN (Bill), Patrick M. McMENIMEN, Allison K. McMENIMEN, Troy A. EVANS and Desiree E. EVANS; and great-grandchildren, Taylor SEATON and Brayden SEATON. Tess also is survived by two sisters, Betty KOLB and brother-in-law, Darrel KOLB, of Thornton, Iowa and Gerda HARTWELL and brother-in-law, Paul HARTWELL, of Clear Lake, Iowa; one brother, Leland "Mick" MIKKELSEN and sister-in-law, Corrine MIKKELSEN, of Clear Lake; and many nieces and nephews.

Tess was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Carrie MIKKELSEN PETERS (Orville) and Lillian MIKKELSEN ELL (Kenneth); and her brother, George MIKKELSEN (Bea).

Tess was born on March 25, 1927, on a farm south of Clear Lake, Iowa, the daughter of Lars MIKKELSEN and Anna JORGENSON. Tess graduated from Mason City High School in 1945 and attended Mason City Junior College.

Tess and Cash were married in Mason City, Iowa, on October 14, 1947, after which they resided in Mason City, Iowa for many years until moving to the Phoenix, Ariz., area in 1982.

Tess was a loving and cheerful wife and mother. She was proud of her Danish heritage. Her playful sense of humor will be missed and her love of pranks will be long remembered, if not always missed. She enjoyed sewing and making crafts.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association Desert Southwest Chapter, 1028 E. McDowell Road, Phoenix, AZ 85006 or to your local office of the American Cancer Society.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2011