Jes Jessen

Funeral services for Jes R. Jessen will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 9, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Andrew Carsrud officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m., Sunday, May 8, 2011 at Walker Funeral Home. Jes R. Jessen, rancher and resident of Gillette, Wyoming, died early Thursday morning of natural causes. Mr.Jessen was 88 years old. Mr. Jessen is survived by his wife Patricia A. Jessen, his sister, Gertrude Barlow of Gillette; his three children, Robert N. "Nick" Jessen (Elaine) and Susan L. Hladky (James) both of Gillette, and Polly B. Jessen (Edward Cordes) of Boulder, Colorado; seven grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren. Mr. Jessen immigrated in 1934 from Tinglev, Germany ( now Denmark) to Campbell County with his parents, John and Marie Jessen, and siblings, Walter, Christel, and Gertrude. The family ranched north of Rozet. Mr. Jessen served in U.S. Naval intelligence during World War II. He received a Purple Heart for injuries sustained when the USS Emmons was sunk in the Battle of Okinawa. Upon returning from the service, he married Patricia Norman in 1945 and purchased shares in the Norman Ranch southeast of Gillette. Jes and Patty raised cattle and sheep on the Norman Ranch until their retirement in 1994 and continue to own the ranch. Mr. Jessen served on the Board of Provident Federal Savings and Loan, on the Campbell County Land Board, and as a Deacon and an Elder in the Gillette Presbyterian Church. He was an active Rotarian, Mason, and member of the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association and Wyoming Wool Grower's Association. He was a past winner of the Excellence in Grazing Award for the Wyoming Chapter Society of Range Management . He served as president of the Campbell County School Board, the Wyoming State Board of Education and the Gillette Golf and Country Club. Jes was an avid golfer and aviator. After his retirement, he and Patty travelled extensively both in the United States and abroad. For the past four years, the couple has lived in Gillette.In lieu of flowers memorials and condolences may be sent in Jes's name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Gillette or condolences via the internet at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716