Erna D. Jessen

ERNA D. JESSEN was born June 6, 1920 to Otto and Martha (Scheel) Bartels in Foley, Minnesota. She was baptized July 4, 1920, at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Foley. The family moved to Edgerton, Minnesota and then to Trosky, Minnesota. Erna was confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church on May 31, 1936. Erna attended school in Edgerton, Minnesota, and Pipestone, Minnesota graduating in 1937 from Pipestone High School. On January 21, 1942 she married Albert Jessen at St John’s Lutheran Church in Trosky. Erna stayed with her parents in Trosky while Albert served in the Army during WWII. After Albert returned in the spring of 1945, the couple settled on a farm in Springwater Township in Rock County, Minnesota. There they worked the land and raised their five children. In 1973, Albert and Erna moved to Luverne, Minnesota. A truly happy memory for all was Erna and Albert’s 60th wedding anniversary celebration in 2002. Albert died in March of 2005 and Erna lived in the Oaks, then Poplar Creek in Luverne and finally moved to the Good Samaritan – Mary Jane Brown Home in June 2009. On Monday, July 7, 2014 Erna died peacefully at the Good Samaritan Society – Mary Jane Brown Home in Luverne at the age of 94, one month and one day.

During their years on the farm, Albert and Erna were active members at Zion Lutheran Church in Hardwick. After retirement, they were active members at St. John Lutheran Church in Luverne. Erna’s true wish for her children was to have them remember her for encouraging them to continue in the Christian faith in which they were raised. Erna was a member of the Women’s Society and Church Circle. She served on the Visiting Committee and the Compassion Committee and regularly attended bible classes. Erna was also a member of the Luverne VFW Auxiliary and the Luverne Senior Citizens. She had a passion for writing and had wished she could have written a book about her life. Erna enjoyed reading, writing letters, quilting, and crocheting. Traveling was another favorite for Erna. She and Albert visited many states and spending time with her children and grandchildren brought her such joy.

She will be lovingly remembered by five children; Carol and her husband Carl Klaustermeier of Lester Prairie, Minnesota, Robert and his wife Carol Jessen of Elgin, Illinois, Delwyn and his wife Karen Osborn of Round Rock, Texas, Sandi and her husband Warren Schmidt of Altenburg, Missouri, and Thomas and his wife Deb Nelson of Madelia, Minnesota; ten grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; four sisters, Johanna Busch of Fulda, Minnesota, Verna (Kenneth) Busch of Windsor, Colorado, Eileen Brockberg of Fairmont, Minnesota, Rose Marie (Gene) Meyer of Willmar, Minnesota; one brother, Elmer (Eunice) Bartels of Luverne, Minnesota; and one sister-in-law, Erna Jessen of Luverne, Minnesota. She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Jessen; her parents; and two sisters, Alvina Brockberg and Luella Siemer.