Linda Rae Jessen

Linda Rae Wedebrand Jessen (Gramma J) was born the daughter of Boral and Pearl (Frick) Wedebrand on November 25, 1949 in Spirit Lake, Iowa. They lived in Middletown Township, south of Jackson, Minnesota, where she was a member of the Middletown Livewires 4-H club; participating in softball and several projects such as baking and sewing. She graduated from Jackson High School in 1967, where she was in school plays, choir, band, and several other clubs; she supported the Jackson Blue Jays.

After high school she continued her education at Methodist-Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, Minnesota. She worked at Rochester Methodist Hospital until 1971, when along with a college classmate they drove a treacherous icy road adventure to move to Phoenix Arizona. There she worked at Phoenix General Osteopathic Hospital and MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital (burn unit). She enjoyed staying in touch with college classmates and attended several reunions.

Linda met Larry Jessen at a country western nightclub; they were married on May 29, 1973 in Phoenix with her sister Colleen being part of the wedding party. The honeymoon was a trip to Jackson Minnesota to have a celebration with the family, relatives, and friends. And, yes, Colleen was with them on the drive back home. Shortly thereafter they moved to San Jose California to be closer to Larry’s family. They started their family in 1975 and added to it in 1977. From 1974 to 2013 Linda was an RN staff nurse, OB GYN Assistant Dept. Mgr., and Systems Manager. In 2008 she proudly earned her BSN with President’s Honors from Chamberlain College of Nursing and subsequently earned her RNC Maternal Normal Newborn. She enjoyed her job and stayed in contact with her family of coworkers. She loved going to go their annual parties.

Linda knew how to do family and how to be there for those you care about; how to give her time freely and without need for reciprocation. She was always on the go, rarely missing any of the boys’ school or sporting events; even volunteering on the PTA and being the president of Alum Rock Little League. She enjoyed going to every event possible for her grandchildren. She enjoyed trips to Disneyland with grandkids, Guatemala Canal with her son Rodney, and her many trips back to Minnesota. Trips back home normally included time with her sister where they would take fall drives sightseeing the Twin Cities area and spend time visiting her brother at the family farm.

Already a breast cancer survivor, Linda dealt with many medical problems later in life. Starting February 2023 she began treatment for oral cancer and later endometrial cancer. She made it through 60 radiation treatments which she was very proud of and was told cancer free in September. However, these treatments did take a toll on her. On June 26th she entered Regional Medical Center and spent subsequent time in Stanford Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, and The Redwoods Post-Acute Care in San Jose. She was admitted to Valley Medical Center on October 8th, when the Good Lord Called Her Home.

Linda is survived by her sons Ralph and Rodney, daughter Kari (Dave) Boese, estranged husband Larry, eight grandchildren, sister Colleen Wedebrand, brother Duane Wedebrand, and several nieces and nephews.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents.

Blessed be the memory of Linda Rae Wedebrand Jessen (Gramma J).

A visitation for Linda will be held Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 2:00 PM in Chapel of Oaks to 3:00 PM at Oak Hill Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Ave, San Jose, CA 95125, followed by a funeral service from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

Please join us at SP2 Communal Bar + Restaurant for the reception immediately following the service.

72 North Almaden Avenue

San Jose, CA 95110

https://sp2sanjose.com

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oakhillfuneral.com for the Jessen family.