Obituary of Eleanor Jesse

Eleanor Westergard Jesse passed away on the evening of September 17, 2024, just seven days shy of her 102nd birthday. Private internment held at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetary.

Eleanor was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, on September 24, 1922, to Olaf and Georgine (Larsen) Westergard. Eleanor was the youngest of six children. Eleanor is preceded in death by her parents, her five siblings (Martha, Mary, Olaf Jr (aka “Pete”), William, and Andrew) and by her devoted husband Fabian Jesse.

Soon after Eleanor’s birth the family moved from Iowa to Battle Creek, Michigan. Eleanor enjoyed growing up in Battle Creek on Euclid Avenue and attending the Lakeview school system. She often spoke fondly of summers in Battle Creek and her long swims in Goguac Lake.

Eleanor was part of The Greatest Generation. Like many women of the Depression Era and World War II, Eleanor held a variety of jobs to help her family make ends meet. It was after the end of World War II, while working at the Wolverine Federal Building in Battle Creek, that Eleanor met the love of her life, Fabian Jesse. Eleanor was employed at the building as an Elevator Operator while Fabian worked for a company based in the same building. By the mid-1950s the two had a courtship, got engaged, married, and relocated to Saint Louis Park, Minnesota. It was there that they started their young family. Eventually the Jesse family relocated to Golden Valley, where Eleanor remained a resident for 59 years until her death.

Eleanor was an excellent homemaker, raising her children and keeping the home. Eleanor was also an avid gardener. In fact, her “green thumb” applied to everything, indoor and out. She always shared her gardening tips with anyone who expressed an interest. When there was an abundance of apples or cucumbers she enjoyed making apple butter, apple pie, and bread and butter pickles.

With the death of her husband Fabian, Eleanor simultaneously moved into the statuses of Widow and Empty Nester. Transitioning into either status separately can be challenging, but Eleanor dealt with both at once. Like all the challenges that life presented to her, Eleanor handled this with resilience. Her family was thankful that she found a refresh in life through her long time companion Daniel Morris. For twenty years during the 1980s and 1990s the two had fun exploring new activities together.

Starting in 1982 Eleanor was a volunteer at Northwest Community Television (NWCT). Through this volunteer work she learned various aspects of television production including directing, filming, and editing for such shows as Seniors on Screen and Country Music Jubilee. In 2013 Eleanor was honored by NWCT with the Longest Serving Volunteer Award spanning her 31 years of volunteer service.

Throughout Eleanor’s life two of her passions stand out. First, Eleanor was a brilliant and naturally talented creative, artist and crafter. Over her lifetime she explored many artistic media including drawing, painting, and many needle arts. Eleanor and husband Fabian eventually worked together on wood carving projects, Eleanor creating the design and Fabian carving the design. Additionally, where other people saw a disposable item, Eleanor saw raw material for another craft project. She was a talented seamstress and could sew virtually anything with or without a pattern. Several of her creations won top honors at the Minnesota State Fair including her framed pressed flower compositions and her quilting projects. In addition to her artistic talent, Eleanor was an animal lover, with a special love for feline friends. Over her lifetime she always had a cat in her care. Most recently she was kept company by kitties Sammy and Snowy.

Eleanor charmed everyone she met with either her smile, her wit, or both if you were lucky. Always creative, curious, witty, and active, she will be dearly missed by all who love her. Eleanor is survived by daughter Shar; son Robert (Susan) and grandson Evan; daughter Carole; several Nieces/Nephews and many Great Nieces/Nephews.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Eleanor’s hospice team from Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital Hospice, especially Nicole and Rebekah, and also to the various volunteers who brightened Eleanor’s days in her final weeks.