Rockwell City – Joan “Jo” Jessen 90, passed away Monday, December 21, 2020 at Accura HealthCare of Pomeroy.  Her wishes were to be cremated and Graveside Services will be at a later date at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Battle Creek, Iowa.  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 Teacher’s 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. Paul’s Lutheran & Presbyterian Church.