Violet Jessen
Violet “Vi” Jessen, 98, passed away October 17, 2020, at Lakewood Health System in Staples.
Funeral services were held Nov. 5 at the Verndale Alliance Church with Pastor Tony Stanley and Pastor Daryl Jacobson officiating.
She was laid to rest at Hauge’s Cemetery in Jackson.
Violet Dorothy Adeline Zahorsky was born February 25, 1922 in Lakefield to John and Barbara (Kadorbeck) Zahorsky. She graduated from the Lakefield High School with the class of 1939.
Vi married Alfred Sidney Jessen on Dec. 2, 1939 at Hauge Parsonage in Jackson. They resided and farmed in Burgen, a small town in the Windom area. Vi owned and operated a café in Storden in the 1950s. In 1957 the Jessen family made their home in Verndale. Alfred was employed as a livestock dealer and Vi raised her children along with working at G&L Drive-In. Alfred passed away Nov. 25, 1989.
While in Verndale, Vi volunteered at the Red Cross Blood Drive and was a prominent member of her community. She was the President of Church Rallies, a Sunday School and Bible class teacher, President of the Garden Club and President of Ladies Aid.
Violet enjoyed flower gardening, quilting, crafts, baking and sharing her apple turnovers and muffins with family and friends.
Violet is survived by three children, Larry (Sharon) Jessen, Judith (Charles) Rieck and Kerry (Kerry) Jessen; 10 grandchildren, Paula (David) Knapek, Trina (Dean) Schultz, Melissa Kaye Rieck, Brent Rieck, Christopher, Chase, Zachary, Ethan, Rodney and Katelyn; seven great-grandchildren, Josh, Isabelle, Jaemon, Connor, Ella, Autumn and Emma; one sister, Marian Ann Werner; many nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Preceding Violet in death was her husband; parents; two daughters, Judith Rae and Betty Lou; six siblings, Arthur Zahorsky, Theodore Zahorsky, Philemeon Kuhn, Rose Bieuthien, Alice Kruger and Esther Foth and one great-grandchild, Xander Schmidt-Jessen.
Music was provided by Joe Hinkle and Jerry Barrett. Pallbearers were Brent Rieck, Josh Schultz, Daniel Fisher, Dan Fisher, Melissa Rieck and Bob Freeman.
Arrangements provided by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of Wadena, www.karvonenfuneralhome.com.
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