Jessen, Donald M. (1918-2007)

JESSEN, KLENK, CALLAHAN, DAWDY, CONLEY

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 3/10/2008 at 10:27:57

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, November 28, 2007

Don M. Jessen, 89, of Sioux City, and a Merrill native, died Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, at his residence.

Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Christy-Smith Morningside Chapel, with the Rev. Nan Allen of Grace United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Sioux City. Visitation will be 3:30 to 8 p.m. today (Wednesday), with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 6 p.m., at the funeral home.

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From: Christy-Smith Funeral Home Website

Don M. Jessen, 89, of Sioux City passed away Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, at his residence.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Christy-Smith Morningside Chapel, with the Rev. Nan Allen of Grace United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 3:30 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a prayer service at 6 p.m., at the funeral home.

Don was born May 7, 1918, in Merrill, Iowa, to Elmer and Louise (Klenk) Jessen. He grew up and attended and graduated from high school in 1936. He still holds the basketball scoring record for Merrill High School. He moved to Sioux City in 1936 and had resided here ever since. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, in Germany.

In 1940, he married Florence Callahan. She passed away in 1946. He later married Bethene Dawdy on Sept. 4, 1948, in Sioux City. They have been married for 59 years. He worked for Chesterman's Bottling and later became a district manager for 7-Up Bottle Company. He later worked bartending jobs at the Moose Lodge, Baxter's Cafe the Sugar Bowl and retired from the Dublin House after 20 years.

He enjoyed sports of all nature, this partially stemmed from his high school days where he ran track and pole vaulted in high school and played Junior Legion baseball. It was said that he had major league fielding skills but could not hit. He also played industrial league basketball and was renowned for his shooting ability. He lived and breathed the game of baseball to the point of hopping a coal car all the way to Chicago to watch the 1935 World Series. He was also responsible for taking many people to their first major league game. One of his favorite pastimes was arguing sports with his friends at Bob Roe's Point After.

He was a member of the American Legion and the Boys of 68.

Survivors include his wife, Bethene of Sioux City; three sons, Richard and Judy of Ankeny, Iowa, David and Linda of Sioux City and Kevin and Jean of Sioux City; four grandchildren, Chris and Bonnie Jessen, Josh Jessen, Jori Jessen and Jessica and Brian Conley; two great-grandchildren; a brother, Merton "Stub" and Wilma Jessen of Le Mars, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his first wife.