1925
Bethene
2022
Bethene N. Jessen
December 30, 1925 — September 16, 2022
Bethene N. Jessen, age 96, of Sioux City, passed away Friday, September 16, 2022.
Visitation will be held 3:00-5:00 p.m. Sunday, September 25, 2022, at Christy-Smith Funeral Home, Morningside Chapel. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 26, 2022, at Christy-Smith Funeral Home, Morningside Chapel. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Bethene was born on December 30, 1925, in the Dawdy family farmhouse where her dad was also born in Climbing Hill, IA. She grew up in Smithland, IA, and graduated with honors from Smithland Community School. She then attended Samuel’s School of Cosmetology in Sioux City.
On September 4, 1948, Bethene married Donald Jessen in Sioux City. She began working various retail jobs and as a dispatcher for a local taxicab company. Later in life she worked as a waitress at Park Bowl bowling alley for over 20 years. She briefly lived in Council Bluffs, IA, then made her home in Morningside for 62 years, spending the last 16 years living independently.
Bethene loved feeding her squirrels, this brought her great joy. She also enjoyed watching reruns of her girls (The Golden Girls). For many years she kept score of World Series games. She was an avid reader of books, especially history and political biographies. She enjoyed music ranging from country to Van Cliburn to Elvis. She was proud to be a lifelong Democrat.
She is survived by her sons, David (Linda) Jessen of Hot Springs Village, AR, Kevin (Jean) Jessen of Sioux City, IA; stepson, Richard (Judy) Jessen of Ankeny, IA; grandchildren, Josh (Lydia Vasquez) Jessen, Jori (Stephanie Heredia, fiancée) Jessen, Jessica (Brian) Conley, Chris Jessen; step grandchildren, Jennifer Petersen, Joel Biggerstaff, Jill Biggerstaff, Jacey Johnson; three great grandchildren; brother, Edward Dawdy; sister, Virginia Uhl; along with several nephews and nieces.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald; parents, Lloyd and Velira Dawdy; brother, Eugene Dawdy; and three other siblings in infancy.
Donations can be made to the Siouxland Humane Society at 1015 Tri View Ave, Sioux City, IA 51103.
Visitation will be held 3:00-5:00 p.m. Sunday, September 25, 2022, at Christy-Smith Funeral Home, Morningside Chapel. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, September 26, 2022, at Christy-Smith Funeral Home, Morningside Chapel. Burial will be at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Bethene was born on December 30, 1925, in the Dawdy family farmhouse where her dad was also born in Climbing Hill, IA. She grew up in Smithland, IA, and graduated with honors from Smithland Community School. She then attended Samuel’s School of Cosmetology in Sioux City.
On September 4, 1948, Bethene married Donald Jessen in Sioux City. She began working various retail jobs and as a dispatcher for a local taxicab company. Later in life she worked as a waitress at Park Bowl bowling alley for over 20 years. She briefly lived in Council Bluffs, IA, then made her home in Morningside for 62 years, spending the last 16 years living independently.
Bethene loved feeding her squirrels, this brought her great joy. She also enjoyed watching reruns of her girls (The Golden Girls). For many years she kept score of World Series games. She was an avid reader of books, especially history and political biographies. She enjoyed music ranging from country to Van Cliburn to Elvis. She was proud to be a lifelong Democrat.
She is survived by her sons, David (Linda) Jessen of Hot Springs Village, AR, Kevin (Jean) Jessen of Sioux City, IA; stepson, Richard (Judy) Jessen of Ankeny, IA; grandchildren, Josh (Lydia Vasquez) Jessen, Jori (Stephanie Heredia, fiancée) Jessen, Jessica (Brian) Conley, Chris Jessen; step grandchildren, Jennifer Petersen, Joel Biggerstaff, Jill Biggerstaff, Jacey Johnson; three great grandchildren; brother, Edward Dawdy; sister, Virginia Uhl; along with several nephews and nieces.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald; parents, Lloyd and Velira Dawdy; brother, Eugene Dawdy; and three other siblings in infancy.
Donations can be made to the Siouxland Humane Society at 1015 Tri View Ave, Sioux City, IA 51103.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bethene N. Jessen, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Sunday, September 25, 2022
3:00 - 5:00 pm (Eastern time)
Christy-Smith Funeral Homes - Morningside Chapel
Funeral
Monday, September 26, 2022
Starts at 10:30 am (Eastern time)
Christy-Smith Funeral Homes - Morningside Chapel
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