Ovie Henry Jessen's Obituary
Ovie Henry Jessen, age 88, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, passed away on January 8, 2023, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Arkansas. He was born on February 18, 1934, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, to Henry H. Jessen and Dagmar D. (Pedersen) Jessen. Ovie met Erma Nell West in Waterloo, Iowa in 1958 and they were married on May 14, 1960 in Memphis, Tennessee. Ovie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. He also earned additional education in Transportation and Traffic Management. Ovie worked in traffic management for Holiday Inn in Memphis, then in Private Fleet Management for 12 years and later retired from Maybelline Corp in North Little Rock in 1999, after 16 years of service. Ovie maintained over 30 years of membership in the American Trucking Association and also wrote several articles for trucking magazines.
Ovie served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. During his military service from 1954-1962, he spent 2 years active duty in Germany and France and another 6 years in reserve duty. He was a member of Salem Lutheran Ministries of Springdale. He had a heart for those in need and contributed food to the Arkansas Sheriff’s Youth Ranch for many years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Erma Jessen; parents, Henry and Dagmar Jessen; brother, Jess Jessen; and sisters, Helga Mikkelsen, Dagny Johnson, Edith Johnson.
He is survived by his daughter, Kim Barnes and husband Kevin of Springdale; and granddaughter, Olivia Barnes of Dallas, Texas and one step sister, Helen Armstrong.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 20, 2023, at Salem Lutheran Ministries in Springdale with Pastor Brandon Martin officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the church. Burial will follow at Salem Lutheran Cemetery in Springdale.
Memorials can be sent to Salem Lutheran Ministries, 1800 W Emma Av, Springdale, AR 72762 or The Arkansas Sheriffs Youth Ranch, 100 St Vincent Place, Batesville, Ar. 72501.
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