Donelda Jessen

A Funeral Service for Donnie Jessen, 79, of Dickinson will be 1:00 p. m. , Monday, February 8, 2016 at St. John Lutheran Church in Dickinson with Pastors Lisa Lewton and Joe Natwick officiating. Entombment will take place in the Dickinson Mausoleum. Visitation for Donnie will be from 11:00 a. m. to 1:00 p. m. , Sunday, February 7, 2016 at Stevenson Funeral Home with a Prayer service being held at 1:00 p. m. Visitation will continue Monday, February 8 from 8:00 a. m. to 11:00 a. m. at Stevenson Funeral Home and 12:00 p. m. to 1:00 p. m. at St. John Lutheran Church. Donnie passed away Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at Eastern Montana Veterans Home, Glendive, MT with her husband, LaVern, by her side. Donelda Marlene Hovdestad was born February 6, 1936 in McHenry County, the daughter of Josvald “Joe” and Ellen (Jonason) Hovdestad. She was raised on the farm near Norwich, attending rural grade school Kottke Valley #2. The family moved to Minot where Donelda graduated in 1954 from Minot High School. She went on to attend Minot State for a year. Donnie worked as a dental assistant and for Bonton Ladies Dress Shop. On November 21, 1956, Donelda was married to LaVern Jessen in Minot. To this union, four sons, Jeffrey, James, Jay and John were born. The couple lived in Beach and Jamestown before moving to Dickinson. Donnie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She taught piano for nearly 40 years and touched many lives with her gift of music. Donnie was a member of St. John Lutheran (ELCA) Church and sang in the church choir for 44 years. She was also a member of St. Cecelia Music Club for 40+ years and a member of Chapter A. D. PEO for 30+ years. Donnie is survived by her husband, LaVern; sons, Jim of Minot, ND, Jay (Jane) of Redmond, WA, and John (Kari) of Bismarck, ND; 11 grandchildren; brother, Gary (Carol) Hovdestad of Minot; daughter-in-law, Becky Jessen of Parker, CO; brothers-in-law, Jim Jessen of Butte, MT and Bruce (Patti) Jessen of Dickinson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Ellen; stepfather, Albert Collins; son, Jeffrey Bruce Jessen; mother and father-in-law, Rueben and Christine (Neve) Jessen; sister-in-law, Allene Halabuk; brothers-in-law, Darold and Ted Jessen. Memorials may be given to the Jessen Family Scholarship Fund c/o the new Dickinson State University Heritage Foundation, 291 Campus Drive, Dickinson, ND 58601.


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Burial Date: February 8, 2016
Church St. John's Lutheran Church

Funeral Service: Monday: St. John Lutheran Church, Dickinson, ND