Obituary: Jean Lessner

Jean Lessner

New Rockford, N.D.

Jean Lessner, 94, of New Rockford, N.D. passed away on Monday, May 15, 2023 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford, N.D.

Jean's visitation was held on Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Evans Funeral Home and continued from 1-2 p.m. at Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd Chapel, New Rockford, followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. Her burial will be at the St. Elizabeth's Catholic Cemetery, Sykeston, N.D. at a later date. Pastor Paula Loewen officiated the service with special music "It Is Well With My Soul" sung by Paula Loewen who was accompanied by Kerstin Allmaras. Recorded music "How Great Thou Art" by Carrie Underwood and "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)" by Pentatonix were also played. Pallbearers were Joey Allmaras, Jamie Allmaras, Donnie Allmaras, Alan Allmaras, Darren Allmaras and Kenny Thompson. Honorary bearers were Fred Allmaras and the rest of the Allmaras family.

Jean Johnson was born on April 8, 1929 to Lois and Harold Johnson in New Hartford, Iowa. She graduated in 1966 with her Associates in Art degree and 1968 with a Registered Nurse degree from Shoreline Community College in Seattle, Wash. She worked as a registered nurse. Jean married John Lessner on March 17, 1987 at the Little Chapel of the West in Las Vegas, Nev.

She attended Trinity Lutheran Church of Carrington and later, New Rockford First Lutheran Church. While living in Carrington she belonged to the Carrington Hospital Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, Carrington Senior Center and was Cardiac Support Group Chairman. She later moved to New Rockford, where she resided at Heritage House, to be closer to her Allmaras family.

In addition to the many dear friends she made at Heritage House, she enjoyed making tied quilts for family and friends, singing and playing the piano, reading and enjoying books by Christian authors, journaling and writing. Above all things, her passions were her Tuesday Bible study and her Thursday afternoon prayer group.

Jean is survived by her daughters, Terri (Ron) Love of Everett, Wash. and Gini Johnson of Shoreline, Wash.; siblings, Frederick Johnson of Marysville, Wash. and Janis (Terry) of Clarksville, Tenn.; six grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John Lessner; parents, Harold and Lois Johnson; brothers, Donald (Jean) Johnson and Robert (Elberta) Johnson; sister, Joan (Bill) Holmes; sister-in-law, Joyce Johnson and son, Thomas Gulseth.

Arrangements by Evans Funeral Home of New Rockford, N.D.