Lenore Jesness

life story

A friendly loving heart who was an anchor for many

Lenore Jesness was born on April 19, 1943 and passed away suddenly on August 20, 2023 in St. Paul, MN

Lenore attended school in Nelson and Alexandria, MN and graduated from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN with a degree in medical technology.

She developed a passion for genealogy and spent countless hours tracing her ancestry, travelling to and connecting with distant relatives, capturing details about the family history. She made repeated trips to Norway, coming back with firsthand experiences and stories. She meticulously wrote down the stories, details and updated family trees which she shared with many.

One of her big adventures was the many months she spent traveling Europe with a college friend in a Volkswagen camper that they ordered and picked up in Germany. They traveled home via ship with the camper and Lenore continued to enjoy the camper on trips around the U.S. for years after.

Lenore was a member of the Sons of Norway. She was also an active member of the “Hadeland Lag,” a group that all trace their ancestry to the Hadeland area of Norway. She was very active in her church and at one time was known as the “hug person” who offered hugs to those who came to the church’s free community dinners. Lenore had a love for dogs, particularly her own, and will have Buttercup’s ashes buried with her own.

Lenore was preceded in death by her parents, Philip and Marie (Stark) and older brother Karl. She is survived by her younger brother Alfred and his wife Paula in Franklin, MA. Al was born the day before her fifth birthday, which she said wasn’t the present she expected. Her younger sister, Marget moved from Texas to Little Canada, MN a year and a half ago and enjoyed quality sister time with Lenore during that time. She also leaves her nieces Chrissy Jesness in Norwood, MA and Heather Groth, her husband Nick and grand-niece Olivia in Alexandria, VA. She also had a special connection with Karl’s son Erik, his wife Jennifer and grand-nephew Noah in Lebanon Church, VA. She is also survived by a multitude of cousins and their children and kept in touch at the “Stark girl cousins” lunches and family reunions that have continued for decades. Her faith, family and friends were of the utmost importance to her.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Monday, November 6, 2023 at 11:00 am with visitation at 10:00 am. It will be held at First Lutheran Church, 463 Maria Ave, St Paul, MN 55106.

A lunch and opportunity to share stories with friends will follow in the church annex.

Memorials in her memory may be made to two special missions in her life, First Lutheran Church, 463 Maria Ave, St Paul, MN 55106 or the Minnesota Historical Society.

memorial service

A celebration of faith will be held at a later date

First Lutheran Church 463 Maria Ave, St Paul, MN 55106, USA

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services