The Life of MARVIN PETERSEN JESSEN
Marvin Jessen died at Trinity Center at Luther Park on Monday, July 13, 2015 at the age of 92. Memorial services will be held at Luther Memorial Church at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 25.
Marvin was born to Danish immigrant parents in Askov, MN on June 25, 1923. He attended the local H.C. Andersen school and graduated with the class of 1941. Marvin served with the U.S. Army in WWII from 1944-1946, and spent most of that time in Germany. Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the army, he enrolled at Grand View College in Des Moines, and subsequently attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a Ph.D. in Zoology.
Marvin taught in the Biology Department at Grand View College from 1951-1988 and was granted emeritus status upon retiring. He was elected to Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society of North America, based on his marine research at the Marine Biological Station in Charleston, Oregon.
In 1947 Marvin married Helen Ophelia Nielsen of Des Moines. They were married 62 years. To this union two children were born: Carol Kellogg of St. Louis, MO and the late David Jessen. Marvin served on the boards of the Des Moines Civic Music Association, Iowa Lutheran Hospital, and the Des Moines Botanical Center.
Marvin was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings; his wife Helen; and son David. Survivors include his daughter Carol; her husband, Ronald Kellogg; granddaughters Alicia and Kristin Kellogg; and nieces and nephews.
The body has been donated to Des Moines University, and the cremains will be interred at Highland Memory Gardens at a later date.
Memorials may be designated to Grand View University or Luther Memorial Church.
Marvin was born to Danish immigrant parents in Askov, MN on June 25, 1923. He attended the local H.C. Andersen school and graduated with the class of 1941. Marvin served with the U.S. Army in WWII from 1944-1946, and spent most of that time in Germany. Upon receiving an honorable discharge from the army, he enrolled at Grand View College in Des Moines, and subsequently attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a Ph.D. in Zoology.
Marvin taught in the Biology Department at Grand View College from 1951-1988 and was granted emeritus status upon retiring. He was elected to Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society of North America, based on his marine research at the Marine Biological Station in Charleston, Oregon.
In 1947 Marvin married Helen Ophelia Nielsen of Des Moines. They were married 62 years. To this union two children were born: Carol Kellogg of St. Louis, MO and the late David Jessen. Marvin served on the boards of the Des Moines Civic Music Association, Iowa Lutheran Hospital, and the Des Moines Botanical Center.
Marvin was preceded in death by his parents and six siblings; his wife Helen; and son David. Survivors include his daughter Carol; her husband, Ronald Kellogg; granddaughters Alicia and Kristin Kellogg; and nieces and nephews.
The body has been donated to Des Moines University, and the cremains will be interred at Highland Memory Gardens at a later date.
Memorials may be designated to Grand View University or Luther Memorial Church.
Filter MARVIN PETERSEN JESSEN's Timeline by the following Memory Categories
Military Service
War:
World War II
Branch:
Army
Rank:
Unknown
