Gerald JESSEN

JESSEN, JACKSON, HATCHER, BOYD, DEAS, MOURLAM, PETERSON, JOHNSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:54

January 15, 1938 --- June 21, 2019

Gerald (Garry) Jessen, 81, of Macomb, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 21, 2019 at McDonough District Hospital with his wife and daughter by his side.

He was born on Jan. 15, 1938 in Woolstock, Iowa, a small community in the Hawkeye state. His family moved to Webster City, Iowa, where he grew up and received his education.

As he begins his new journey, he leaves behind his wife of 60 years, La Von Jessen, his partner in working, moving and life. Surviving to mourn his passing are his daughter, Lisa Kay Jessen; brother, Bob Jessen; sister, Pat Jackson; nieces, Vicky Hatcher, Barb Boyd, Shane Deas; nephews, Don Jessen, Darrell Jessen and Mike Jessen. Garry was preceded in death by his parents, Arvene and Beulah (Mourlam) Jessen; his son, Todd Jay Jessen; brother, Richard Jessen; brothers-in-law, Robert Jackson and Les Peterson; sisters-in-law, Shirley Jessen and Marilyn Johnson; nephews, Bobby Jessen and Brad Jessen.

In 1955 Garry was employed by Morton Frozen Foods in Webster City, Ia., and worked his way up to management. In 1967 the plant closed and he transferred to their larger plant in Crozet, Virginia. He then joined Banquet Frozen Foods in Jackson, Ohio, in 1973 only to find that after four years the family was on the road again as he was relocated to their corporate office traffic department in St. Louis, Mo. The family settled in Chesterfield, Missouri, 20 miles west of the arch and his downtown office. Garry adjusted to city life by riding the bus to his 9 - 5 job. The family enjoyed meeting many new friends along the way when suddenly Banquet Foods was sold.

In 1981, Webster Industries brought his family to Macomb, Illinois, and we found it was not only another nice place to live, but to retire as well.

Garry had great memories of his younger years when he and his buddies would go motorcycling in the country climbing hills. He loved nature, whether it be hunting, fishing, watching the birds and deer or other wildlife. He also cherished the relationship he had with the family dogs, namely, Brandy, Tyler, Sasha, Rags, and Hannah.

Watching sports on TV gave him a lot of pleasure as did reading recipes and being a good cook.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Celebration of Life and burial of ashes will be on a date to be determined at Webster City, Iowa, in Graceland Cemetery where the old trees greet the mourners if to say "come rest with me." Memorial Contributions may be made to McDonough District Hospital. Dodsworth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

McDonough County Voice --- Macomb, Illinois
June 25, 2019