Joan 'Jo' Jessen

Rockwell City Joan "Jo" Jessen 90, passed away Monday, December 21, 2020 at Accura HealthCare of Pomeroy. Her wishes were to be cremated. Private Family Graveside Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 28, 2021 at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Battle Creek, Iowa, with Pastor Jim Davis officiating. Palmer & Swank Funeral Home, Rockwell City is serving the family. Jo is survived by her son James Jessen and his wife Kay of Manson; grandchildren, Jesi Jessen and Liddy Jessen, both of San Jose, CA; and step-granddaughter Lauren Parkison of Louisville, KY. She was preceded in death by her husband James M. Jessen; her parents, Alfred K. and Elna I. (Pautsch) Engelking; and brothers Harold and Francis Engelking. Joan Engelking was born February 13, 1930 at Ida Grove, Iowa. She graduated from Ida Grove High School and received her teachering certificate from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. Jo taught school at Ida Grove, Mallard and Atlantic. On February 10, 1951, she was united in marriage to James M. Jessen at Ida Grove, Iowa. Jo worked as a bookkeeper and manager for most of her working life. In 1976, the couple moved to Rockwell City. Jim passed away in 1985. Jo was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and later St. Pauls Lutheran & Presbyterian Church. SERVICES Private Family Graveside Services 11:00 a.m. - Monday June 28, 2021 Mt. Hope Cemetery Battle Creek, Iowa OFFICIATING Pastor Jim Davis