1915
Ruth
2008
Ruth Jesness
April 14, 1915 — May 31, 2008
Ruth Elsie Jesness, nee Ross, was the youngest of eight children, born on April 14, 1915 to Elsie and James Ross and grew up on a farm near Foxhome, Minnesota. She was baptized and confirmed in the Methodist Church, and spent many of her younger years herding cattle on the western Minnesota prairie.
In 1936, she graduated from the West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, Minnesota. She then worked as an occupational therapist at state hospitals in Fergus Falls and Moose Lake. She married Alex Paulson and worked briefly as a mechanic for Northwest Airlines. She then moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan where she worked in a defense plant as a wing riveter on Mitchell B-24 Liberator bombers.
Her first son, Donald Edwin Paulson was born in Moose Lake on December 23, 1944. She moved to Nevis and was widowed. She Married Roy Jesness October 1, 1948. Her son Donald stood up for the bride and groom at their wedding. Her second son Gerald was born in 1951 and her daughter Linda was born in 1955. Roy and Ruth operated a dairy and grain farm in Swan Lake Township. Ruth was involved in Scandia Lutheran Church as a Sunday school teacher and as a costume and set designer for Scandia's holiday programs. When Scandia merged with Trinity Lutheran, Ruth became involved in many activities there, especially Trinity do-days.
Ruth's artistic talent was unlimited. She was accomplished at painting in tempera and oils, rosmaling, sewing, knitting, spinning yarn, sewing teddy bears, carpentry, cabinetmaking, and jewelry making.
She was a concessionaire for much of her adult life. She made and sold gold wire jewelry at fairs and festivals in Minnesota and the Dakotas. She later sold tacos. She operated a concession at the Minnesota State Fair for more than forty years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Elsie, Her husband Alex, and her siblings, Margaret (Hanson), Naomi (Johnson), Esther (McGuire), Francis, Russell, William, and Raymond.
She is survived by her loving husband, Roy, her three children, Don, Jerry, and Linda Jesness, and their families. Don is married to Carol and lives in Eagan. Jerry is married to Liz and lives in League City Texas. Linda lives in Burnsville. Her grandchildren by Don are Scott (husband of Esther) of St. Paul, Todd (husband of Jennie) of Miami, Florida, Katie Dick (wife of Jason) of Mankato, and Brian of Eagan. Ruth's grandchildren by Jerry are Suzanna, Sarah, and Laura of League City. Her grandchildren by Linda are Brandon and Rebecca of Winona. She is also survived by one great-grandchild, Leah Dick, and many loving nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers for the service are Ruth's grandchildren: Scott Jesness, Todd Jesness, Katie Dick, Brian Jesness, Suzanna Jesness, Sarah Jesness, Laura Jesness, Brandon Crosbie, Rebecca Crosbie and honorary grandchild: Jeremiah Kill. Diane Hanse will serve as organist for the service with Sheryle Dahl serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangement.
In 1936, she graduated from the West Central School of Agriculture in Morris, Minnesota. She then worked as an occupational therapist at state hospitals in Fergus Falls and Moose Lake. She married Alex Paulson and worked briefly as a mechanic for Northwest Airlines. She then moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan where she worked in a defense plant as a wing riveter on Mitchell B-24 Liberator bombers.
Her first son, Donald Edwin Paulson was born in Moose Lake on December 23, 1944. She moved to Nevis and was widowed. She Married Roy Jesness October 1, 1948. Her son Donald stood up for the bride and groom at their wedding. Her second son Gerald was born in 1951 and her daughter Linda was born in 1955. Roy and Ruth operated a dairy and grain farm in Swan Lake Township. Ruth was involved in Scandia Lutheran Church as a Sunday school teacher and as a costume and set designer for Scandia's holiday programs. When Scandia merged with Trinity Lutheran, Ruth became involved in many activities there, especially Trinity do-days.
Ruth's artistic talent was unlimited. She was accomplished at painting in tempera and oils, rosmaling, sewing, knitting, spinning yarn, sewing teddy bears, carpentry, cabinetmaking, and jewelry making.
She was a concessionaire for much of her adult life. She made and sold gold wire jewelry at fairs and festivals in Minnesota and the Dakotas. She later sold tacos. She operated a concession at the Minnesota State Fair for more than forty years.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Elsie, Her husband Alex, and her siblings, Margaret (Hanson), Naomi (Johnson), Esther (McGuire), Francis, Russell, William, and Raymond.
She is survived by her loving husband, Roy, her three children, Don, Jerry, and Linda Jesness, and their families. Don is married to Carol and lives in Eagan. Jerry is married to Liz and lives in League City Texas. Linda lives in Burnsville. Her grandchildren by Don are Scott (husband of Esther) of St. Paul, Todd (husband of Jennie) of Miami, Florida, Katie Dick (wife of Jason) of Mankato, and Brian of Eagan. Ruth's grandchildren by Jerry are Suzanna, Sarah, and Laura of League City. Her grandchildren by Linda are Brandon and Rebecca of Winona. She is also survived by one great-grandchild, Leah Dick, and many loving nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers for the service are Ruth's grandchildren: Scott Jesness, Todd Jesness, Katie Dick, Brian Jesness, Suzanna Jesness, Sarah Jesness, Laura Jesness, Brandon Crosbie, Rebecca Crosbie and honorary grandchild: Jeremiah Kill. Diane Hanse will serve as organist for the service with Sheryle Dahl serving as soloist. Pedersen Funeral Home in Morris is in charge of the arrangement.
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