NESSET, Mary Jane (Russell) 1921-2001

GROW, RUSSELL, NESSET, CHRISTENSEN, CULLEN, MOORE, FERGUSON, GEHRING

Posted By: IA GenWeb Volunteer
Date: 10/14/2010 at 11:45:52

Decorah Journal, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2001

Mary Nesset

Mary Nesset, 79, of Decorah, died Friday, March 16, 2001 at the Aase Haugen Home in Decorah.

There was no visitation as the body was cremated. Memorial services will be held Saturday, March 24 at 2 p.m. at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, with Pastor Steve Jacobsen officiating.

Fjelstul Funeral Home of Decorah is handling arrangements.

Pianist is Martha Engebretson, and the congregation will sing "There is a Balm in Gilead", "What A Friend We Have in Jesus" and "Thine is the Glory."

Mary Jane Russell was born Oct. 5, 1921 in Mason City to Harry B. and Anetta (Grow) Russell.

She graduated from Mason City High School in May 1939.

She enlisted in the military in Des Moines on March 23, 1943. She served in the WAC's as a weather observer with the rank of sergeant, and was discharged at the 71st AAF Base Unit, Separation Center at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Decorations included the American Theater Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal and the WAC Service Medal.

She married Kenneth R. Nesset August 3, 1960 at Naval Air Technical Training Center in Memphis, Tenn., and the couple had two children.

They lived in Decorah, where Mary Nesset was a member of the First Lutheran Church and church circles.

She also served on the Nordic Fest committee for 14 years with Helen Carlson. Helen was in charge of the dining room and Mary was in charge of the kitchen.

Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Nesset; two children, Lowell and Diane Christensen of Round Rock, Texas and Laurel and Gene Cullen of Washington, D.C.; three step-children: Bruce Nesset of Illinois; Barbara
Moore of Wash., and Lynn Ferguson of Texas; one brother, Harry Russell of Delaware; one sister, Betty Gehring of Ariz.; six grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; one greatgrandchild and three step great grandchildren.

Mary Jane Russell Nasset was preceded in death by her parents.

Transcribed by an IA GenWeb Volunteer from obituaries found in the Howard-Winneshiek Genealogy Society Library, Cresco, Iowa.