Harry J. Jessen

Funeral services for Harry J. Jessen age 94 of Plainview, Nebraska will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Plainview, Nebraska. Visitation will be from 5-8 P.M. Friday, February 28 at the Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Plainview. Burial will be in the Danish Cemetery.

Rev. Donna L. Runge officiated the service with burial in the Danish Cemetery southwest of Plainview, Nebraska.

Jan Krause served as organist and soloist Duane Christiansen sang “How Great Thou Art” and “On Eagle’s Wings.” Recorded music of “Daddy’s Hands” was also played.

Paull Bearers included: Rick Ruth, Jeremy Ruth, Jim Dockerty, Jr., Eric Cox, Roger Bailey and Ray Meyer.

Harry Julius Jessen was born May 4, 1920, at home six and a half miles northwest of Brunswick, NE to N. August Jr. and Lydia (Haverkamp) Jessen; and died February 25, 2015 at the Plainview Manor/Whispering Pines Assisted Living, Plainview, NE.

He attended country school thru the 8th Grade.

Harry was baptized in the Lutheran faith in 1920, confirmed May 20th, 1934 at Zion Lutheran Church, Creighton, NE.

He married Evelyn Lois Bailey November 11, 1945, at Zion Lutheran, Creighton, NE. To this union four children were born: Judith Ann, Joanne Kay, Janine Lois and Jerald Harry.

The couple farmed for 8 years west of Creighton, NE. In November 1953 the family moved to Veneta, OR. While residing in Oregon Harry worked for Long Bell/International Paper at Vaughn for 12 years. During that time they built and operated the Veneta Trailer Court.

On December 30, 1966 he was married to Mattie “Leona” Boise Johansen at Christ Lutheran Church, Veneta, OR.

In April 1968 the family moved to Plainview, NE and purchased and operated the Plainview Roller Rink for six years. From 1974-1994 Harry raised hogs which he enjoyed.

Harry enjoyed gardening, dancing, playing cards, pitching horseshoes, dominoes, playing the accordion and mouth harp.


He was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Plainview.

He was preceded in death by his second wife Leona, parents, sister and spouses Hilda and husband Finley Fischer, Edna and husband Lester Johnston, and brother and spouse Arnold and Elsie Jessen Carlson, son-in-law's William “Bill” Ruth, Alvin Hoefer, James W. Dockerty Sr. great-grandson Lane Oelrich, nephew Warren N. Johnston and niece Lona Fischer Smith.

Harry is survived by his first wife Evelyn Bailey Dick of Crabtree, OR, his children: Judith A. Ruth of Norfolk, NE, Joanne K. (Nathan) Buttke of Albany, OR, Janine L. (Nelson) Quinlan of Albany, OR, and Jerald H. Jessen of Crabtree, OR, 9 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, two step-daughters Sandra (Ev) Anderson of Omaha, Sally Hoefel of Omaha, 9 step-grandchildren and numerous step-great-grandchildren.