Mary M. Jessen

She was born July 11, 1926, in Milwaukee, daughter of the late Salvatore and Filippa LaPorte. Mary grew up in Milwaukee and graduated from Lincoln High School, class of 1944.

In 1949 she was united in marriage to John W. Jessen at the First Presbyterian Church in Florence. He preceded her in death on Jan. 12, 1977. Mary worked for the State Bank of Florence for 12 years and then the Florence County Register of Deeds for over 21 years before retiring in 1984.

She enjoyed cooking, entertaining, and going out for dinner with family and friends.

Survivors include one son, John (Laurie) Jessen of Quinnesec; daughter-in-law, Vana Kokkinos of Kalamazoo, Mich.; former daughter-in-law, Pam Jessen of Green Bay, Wis.; five grandchildren, John, Jay, Robert, Andrew, and Kyle; two brothers, Valentino “Val” (Pam) LaPorte of Shorewood, Wis., and Dante (Mary Ellen) LaPorte of New Berlin, Wis.; one sister, Violanda Barczak of Waterford, Wis.; numerous nieces and nephews; also special friends that were like sons to her, David (Terry) Demuri, and Bob (Vida) Willins.

In addition to her parents and husband, John, Mary was preceded in death by one son, Greg Jessen; three brothers, Anthony “Tony” Richard and Ronny LaPorte; and two sisters, Sara Gasparetti and Frances McMahon.

Visitation will be Sunday, July 11, 2021, from 3 until 5 p.m. at the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home in Florence, Wis.

The funeral service will be Sunday, 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Pastor Lisa Ubbelohde will officiate. Burial will take place Monday, July 12, at 10 a.m., at Woodlawn Cemetery in Florence.

A memorial will be established to help fund dementia and Alzheimer’s research in Mary’s honor.

You may leave a condolence or tribute for Mary’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs-Lundholm Funeral Home and Crematory of Florence, to honor Mary’s legacy of life.