Georgia Jessen

Georgia Mae Jessen, 74, of Anita, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, August 13, 2014, after a courageous battle with cancer, at Caring Acres Nursing & Rehab Center in Anita, Iowa.

She was born August 28, 1939, in Exira, Iowa, the first child of nine, to George and Helen Mae (Green) Dill. She spent her younger years in the Exira and Brayton area. Then in 1952 her family moved to Atlantic. While attending school, she worked for Enocksons Ice Cream Shop and A&W Drive Up Root Beer Stand after school and weekends. She graduated from Atlantic High School in 1957, then went to work for Walnut Grove Products.

In 1958, she married Joe Armstrong and had two sons, Michael Joseph and Daryl D. She was united in marriage to Gailyn Jessen on December 31, 1963, and resided in Anita, Iowa. To this union three children were born, Wade Eugene, Jill Christine and Jared Lee.

Georgia was a very warm and loving mother to her children. While raising her family, she helped her husband with the Jessen Trucking Co., and later was employed with Casey's General Store, retiring after 28 years. Georgia also gave plenty of time to her mother and mother-in-law, and was a loving, caring sister, always there when we needed her the most.

There were many meals whipped up and served around her table, especially Sunday dinners. She and Gailyn loved to entertain family and friends, and everyone delighted in their hospitality. She enjoyed attending school and sporting events for her children, especially her grandchildren. Many times Georgia would let her grandchildren drive the golf cart while she sat and watched them play. (The family wonders if she ever swung a golf club herself). She was a big fan of her grandchildren and she loved them all dearly.

Georgia was very involved with the Holy Cross Lutheran Church. She loved serving the Lord and giving the best she could. She was an active member of LWML.

Georgia is survived by her children, Daryl (Jo) Armstrong, Wade (Amy) Jessen, Jill Jessen and Jared (Sarah) Jessen all of Anita, IA; her grandchildren, Brandon (Sara) Bonnesen of Audubon, IA, Matthew Bonnesen, Jaxson Armstrong, Trent Jessen, RoAnn Perry, Peyton Jessen and Gavyn Jessen all of Anita; great-granddaughters, Kelsey Bonnesen of Audubon and Brynleigh Bonnesen of Anita; sisters and brothers, Larry (Opal) Dill of Portland, OR, Gale (June) Dill of Sevierville, TN, Mona Ballinger of Atlantic, IA, Vicki (Bob) Langfelt of Massena, IA, Michelle (Ron) Jessen of Griswold, IA, and Randy (Barb) Dill of Atlantic, IA; sister-in-law, Marilyn Dill, brother-in-law, Ronnie Johnson; brother and sisters-in-law, Leonard (Darlene) Jessen of Anita, IA, Evelyn (Ray) McAfee of Olathe, KS and Irene (Gary) Nelson of Olathe, KS; aunt, Patricia Hall of CA; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Helen Dill; husband, Gailyn Jessen; her son, Michael Joseph Armstrong; her granddaughter, Leslie Jessen Perry; her brother, Ronald Dill; her sister, Kimberly Johnson; her brother-in-law, Rex Ballinger; and her sister-in-law, Dixie Jessen.

Visitation will be held Sunday, August 17, 2014, from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. at Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home Anita, Iowa.

Memorial services will be held Monday, August 18, 2014, at 10:30 a.m., at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Anita, Iowa.
Interment of ashes will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Anita, Iowa.
Lunch will be served at the Anita Community Center following the interment service.

The family requests memorials in lieu of flowers to the Holy Cross Lutheran Church or made to the family for later designation.
Hockenberry Family Care in Anita, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.