Eileen Jennissen
Eileen Rosella Jennissen, 79, of Staples passed away May 29, 2017 at Parkview Care Center in Buffalo.
Mass of Catholic Burial will be held Friday, June 2 , at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples with Father Korf officiating. Visitation will be, Thursday, June 1, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Taylor Funeral Home in Staples and two hours prior to services at the church.
Interment will be at St. Anthony of Padua in Sauk Centre.
Arrangements are with Taylor Funeral Home in Staples.
Eileen Rosella Kemper was born September 3, 1937 in Sauk Centre, to Herman and Elizabeth (Winters) Kemper. She graduated from Sauk Centre High School in 1954 and married her high school sweetheart, William (Bill) Jennissen on September 3, 1956 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Sauk Centre. Eileen and Bill farmed in Sauk Centre until 1978, when they moved to Staples. They owned and operated Tony’s Chicken until 1989. Eileen worked for Lakewood Health Systems in Staples as an Activities Assistant until retiring in 2008. She loved music and taught private piano lessons and played piano and organ in Padua, Sauk Centre, Staples, Verndale and Motley for over 50 years. She also played saxophone and accordion. She enjoyed reading, tending her flowerbeds, sewing, playing cards and spending time with her family.
Eileen is survived by three daughters, Julie (Paul) Konz of St. Cloud, Laurie (Steve) Pelkey of Brainerd and Paula (Keith) Brown of Canal Winchester, OH; nine sons, Mark (Sharlene) Jennissen of Miltona, Neil (Amy) Jennissen of Isanti, William “Billy” Jennissen, Jr. of Isle, Nicholas (Paulette) Jennissen of Seward, AK, Dean (Lisa) Jennissen of Buffalo, Keith (Jill) Jennissen of Byron, Steven (Sarah) Jennissen of Staples, Lynn (Kessie) Jennissen of Foley and Jesse (Kirsten) Jennissen of Cambridge; 34 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters Sr. Marian Kemper of St. Cloud and Jeanette (Donald) Orth of Sauk Centre; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband and two infant sisters, Karen and Joyce.
Memorials in memory of Eileen can be made to Lakewood Health Systems at www.lakewoodhealthsystem.com/about-us/foundation/donate/.
Flowers and cards may be mailed to 718 6th Ave. NW, Buffalo, MN 55313.
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