Arlene Mae Jessie

Arlene Mae Jessie was born into this world on April 20, 1926, at home in Little Falls, to August and Alma (Grossman) Yahnke. Shortly after she was born, she was made a child of God through Holy Baptism.

Arlene made a public confession of her Christian faith and was confirmed as a member of Peace Lutheran Church in rural Cataract on July 30, 1939.  Arlene married Clarence Jessie on December 2, 1944 at the Lutheran Parsonage in Little Falls.

Together they farmed in Stark Valley. She was a lifelong member of the Ladies Aid at Peace Lutheran Church in Cataract. She enjoyed playing cards, crossword puzzles, baking, canning, cooking, and gardening…Nobody ever left hungry!

Arlene is survived by her four children: Linda Johnson of Tomah; Cynthia (Bill) Freise of Melrose; Dale (Linda) Jessie of Cataract; and Gale (Karen) Jessie of Cataract; her 10 grandchildren: Darrick (Kelly) Johnson; Larissa (Kelly) Nelson; Kimberly (Larry) Stephan; Brian (Krystal) Freise; Emily (Dale) Timm; Nathan (Carrie) Jessie; Garrett (Maggie) Jessie; Danielle (Jesse) Pryor; Tyler Jessie; and Adam (Betsy) Jessie. She is further survived by 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; three siblings, Bill (Karen) Yahnke; Marie Livangood; and Norma Reid; a brother-in-law, Harlan Schober and many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Arlene passed away Saturday, December 30, 2017 at the age of 91, at Mayo Health System in Sparta. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence; parents, August and Alma; siblings, Gilbert Yahnke, Kenneth Yahnke, Eleanor (Irwin) Greeno, Eloise Roberts, and Doris Schober; and brothers-in-law, Clifford Livangood and Martin Reid.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at Faith Ev. Lutheran Church, rural Cataract, with Pastor Joel Neumann officiating. Burial will immediately follow in the church cemetery.

Family and friends are invited to gather at the Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta on Tuesday, from 4-7 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

Online condolences may be offered to the Jessie family at www.schanhoferfh.com

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Morrow Memorial Home and Mayo Health System in Sparta for the compassionate care given to Arlene.

The Lanham-Schanhofer Funeral Home, Sparta, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.””Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor.”

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