Arlene Jessen (1915-1941)

JESSEN, GOLLY, KYVIG, JENSEN, LARSON

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 10/21/2024 at 17:01:25

From Story City Herald June 5, 1941 (page 4)

ARLENE JESSEN FUNERAL TUESDAY

The funeral for Arlene Jessen, 26, were held on Tuesday afternoon, a brief prayer service at the home followed by the service in Grace church and ritual at the Zearing mausoleum, where the body was laid to rest beside that of her father, the late J. C. Jessen.

Rev. Bergeman conducted the services an spoke feelingly of the deceased, stressing her high ideals, noble character and the long and finally losing battle she waged against an insidious disease. Prof. Thornton, one of her teachers at the state university, was present and also spoke a few words of appreciation of her.

Mrs. Geo. Sowers rendered a vocal solo and a song was sung by a mixed quartet consisting of Marilyn and Elaine James and Arnold and Vernon Anderson. Besides various sums given privately to missions in her memory, the Grace Sunday school gave $15 to the same object. The floral tributes, mostly of roses, were exceedingly beautiful.

Among those from a distance at the funeral were; Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Nordskog and daughter of Cedar Falls, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Malmanger, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Larson and Jess Jessen of Nevada, Mrs. Marion Chance of Zearing, O. R. Johnson of Stuart, Mrs. Robert Ballard of Ankeny, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. H. Templer of Jewell.

Obituary

Arlene Jessen, the second daughter of John Charles Jessen and Catherine (Golly) Jessen, came to gladden the home on the 28th day of March, 1915, at Story City, Iowa. After brining sunshine and happiness into this home for a period of 26 years, 2 months and 3 days, she passed away at the local hospital last Saturday afternoon, May 31, 1941. Thus terminated a life, not of many years, but well lived.

When she had completed her training in the Story City High school in 1933 she was graduated with honor, having been the valedictorian of her class. During her high school days she was active in the different musical organizations as well as in the field of dramatics. Following the completion of her high school course, she attended Stephens college at Columbia, Mo., where she was graduated in the spring of 1935. At the end of her first year's study at Stephens college she was awarded a scholarship because of her outstanding work. In the fall of 1935 she entered the University of Iowa. Because of impaired health she was unable to complete the year at the University and her training was interrupted for several years. She resumed her work in January 1940, to complete her course, and was graduated with high honors, altho she did not live to see the day of her graduation, which was Monday, June 2nd.

She had earned for herself a number of distinct honors while at the University, among which were the election to Phi Beta Kappa, the National honorary scholastic fraternity, and Pi Lambda Theta, National honorary educational fraternity. The two stars given her by the University, to have been placed upon the sleeve of her gown at graduation, symbolize her scholastic standing by the school.

Arlene was an unusual girl in many respects. She was not only outstanding in her school work but also in her general behavior. Because of her thoughtfulness of others, her courteous and cheerful disposition, her life was a distinct blessing and benediction to all whom she contacted. Those who learned to know her came to recognize and appreciate her real worth. Wherever she went she radiated a beautiful spirit of cheer, courage and goodwill which was helpful to all her associates. Her splendid ability and preparation would have enabled her to serve well in whatever field of human endeavor she might have entered. The her life was short and her fond ambitions unrealized, we know there is no perfection in this present world, there must be something ahead--God called her to a higher and fuller life, the immortality which will permit us to see the fulfillment of our dreams.

As far as is known her illness extended over a period of about eight years, during which time she never lost her ambition, but courageously prepared herself for the best in life.

Arlene united with the church accepting Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour, when she made her confession on February 7, 1926. She took an active interest in the church, always willing and ready to serve wherever possible. She served as a Sunday school teacher for a season, manifesting a vital interest while active in this capacity. The church had a large place in Arlene's life, and she never neglected divine services when it was possible for her to attend. Her interest and participation in the worship services was a real encouragement to her pastor and to others who attended. May a double portion of her spirit of interest and devotion fall upon us who remain.

Her place in the home, in the church and in the community is now vacant, but she continues to live. She, whose life had been such a blessing and benediction to us all, will continue to live, for even death can not terminate so beautiful a life. Altho her years were short, nevertheless she lived much, very much worthwhile into those years.

She is survived by her devoted mother; one sister, who is Mrs. Edward H. Kyvig of Estherville; her aged maternal grandfather, W. H. Golly of Zearing; her paternal grandmother, Mrs. Caroline (Jensen) Larson of Nevada; and a number of uncles and aunts and other relatives and a host of friends.