Lucinda Lu "Cindy" Jessen, 64, of Oshkosh passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at her home.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at the Oshkosh Wesleyan Church with Pastor Bruce Neal officiating. Burial will follow in the Oshkosh City Cemetery.
Holechek-Bondegard Funeral Homes and Cremations in Oshkosh is serving the Jessen family.
Memorials can be made to the family for later designation.
Lucinda Lu (Cindy) Johnson was born to Lorita (Fuhrer) Johnson and Dean Johnson in Deshler, Nebraska on December 26, 1959, the middle of five children. In 1966, the Johnson family moved from Edgar, Nebraska to the farm west of Oshkosh, Nebraska. Cindy attended Penn School, Oshkosh Grade School and Garden County High School.
Cindy married Jerry Jessen at the Berea Church on May 16, 1981. Cindy and Jerry lived and farmed south of Oshkosh. On November 18, 1990, Chelsee Jo completed their family. Cindy and Chelsee were baptized together on May 19, 1991 at the Berea Church. Cindy and Jerry later divorced.
Cindy was always known as the "really fun aunt," a title that was well deserved! She kept nieces and nephews overnight countless times through the years. And they always had the greatest times and so many stories to tell when they returned home! She worked at her mom's Hamburger Barn and raised big gardens and lots of flowers, chickens, and Samoyed puppies for many years while on the farm. And yes, she would load up a batch of puppies and bring them to Oshkosh Grade School so a niece or nephew could show them for show-and-tell!
After moving into town, she became the "go-to-gal" who would take on most every job someone asked her to do. She cleaned, painted, repaired, cleared flower beds and gardens and scooped snow, and was often called to clean out an estate home. And she did it well-she was a very hard worker.
Cindy could be stubborn, but she had the biggest heart. She cared for her friends, and when they got sick or needed help, she was there. She did not hesitate to call and ask for prayer for someone in trouble. And if she didn't agree with you about something, she would definitely let you know! Many will remember her by her smile and bubbly personality. Although her years here were cut short, she lived life to the fullest and touched many lives.
Cindy will be missed by her daughter, Chelsee Jessen; her four siblings: Deanne (Lynn) Cooper; Gary (Marie) Johnson; Ted (Marrlyn) Johnson; and Sherry (Steve) Jobman; nieces and nephews: Jay Cooper; Linde (Justin) Rafferty and Cole; Jeff (Shandra) Cooper, Kelbi, Carson and Quaid; Haley (Jared) Derry, Dex, Jase and Nate; Levi Johnson (Boris Boaryo); Dana Johnson and Jaylee; Kristin (Gage) Stermensky, Gage and Gary; Tabitha Johnson (Jeremiah Jeltema), Noah and Ella; McCabe Johnson, A very and Hudson; Samantha (Bryce) Stoltenberg, Braxton, Brielle, Suttyn and Shainee; Shaylee Little, Blakely and Drew; and Spencer (Justine) Jobman, Sloane and Josie; and many friends in the community.
Preceding her in death were her parents, great-nephew Devin Gillen and her beloved dog Jo Joe (her devoted companion of nearly 20 years!).