Mildred Jessen

Mildred M. “Millie” Jessen, 88, of Oelwein, Iowa, died peacefully on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at MercyOne, Oelwein, Iowa.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial: 10:30 A.M. Thursday, July 23, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oelwein, with Rev. Isaac Boadu officiating.
Visitation: 4:00 to 6:30 P.M. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, and from 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Thursday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein.
Rosary: 4:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Parish Scripture Service: 6:30 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home.
Final Resting Place: St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Hazleton, Iowa.
Memorial Fund: Fontana Nature Center, Hazleton, Iowa.
Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Mildred Mary Gerstenberger was born May 8, 1938, on the family farm, southeast of Hazleton, Iowa, the youngest of four children born to George P. & Gladys Marie (Buhman) Gerstenberger. She attended country school for three years and then continued her education at Hazleton High School where she graduated in the class of 1956. Millie met Bruce Jessen while working part-time as a waitress at Luigi’s Restaurant in Oelwein. Millie was united in marriage to Bruce Arnold Jessen on June 7, 1975, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hazleton. Millie made her home in Hazleton for 33 years before her marriage to Bruce. Mille and Bruce moved to the north edge of Oelwein where they lived for many years. Millie never had children of her own but after the sudden death of her sister, Rose, she helped care for Rose’s children: Connie, Charlie and Larry Shannon. Millie worked as a typist at Rath Packing in Waterloo for a short time. She then worked for 45 years as a typist, bookkeeper and teller at Oelwein State Bank and through the bank buyouts, retired from Union Planters Bank in 2003.

Millie was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church & Rosary Society, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court St. Rita #321, Oelwein Historical Society Museum, Hub City Heritage Corp., NARVRE and the Herb Society. She also volunteered at the Oelwein Meal Site. Millie enjoyed nature, flowers, country living, animals and meeting new people she could visit with.

Millie is survived by her Niece and 8 Nephews: Connie Myott, Charlie Shannon, Larry Shannon, Dan Gerstenberger, John Gerstenberger, Bill Gerstenberger, Phil Gerstenberger,
Randy Gerstenberger, Scott Gerstenberger and Many Great Nieces & Great Nephews.

Millie was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Bruce on June 10, 2016; Siblings: George H. Gerstenberger, Gus G. Gerstenberger and Rose E. Shannon and a Niece: Chris Fordyce.