Jean Jesser

Jean Jesser

March 23, 1927-September 17, 2023

Jean Marion Feldhusen Jesser, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away in her home surrounded by her family on September 17, 2023 at the age of 96. The Jesser family will host a viewing at Rosenau Funeral Home from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 20. A memorial service will be held in Jean’s honor at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 21 at the Twin Falls Methodist Church. Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Jean was born on March 23, 1927, in Twin Falls, Idaho to John Sierk and Gladys Letitia (Jones) Feldhusen. She was raised on the family farm near Kimberly, Idaho with her brother, John “Johnny” Feldhusen, Jr. The Feldhusen family spent a great deal of time at their ranch on Eagle Creek north of Ketchum, Idaho, where Jean helped her father as a cattle wrangler and cook. Jean enjoyed skiing and loved spending time in the Sawtooth Mountains. She graduated from Kimberly High School in 1945, and then attended Stevens College in Columbia, Missouri for two years before transferring to the University of Idaho. Jean was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in home economics in 1949. After college, she worked for two years as a Home Demonstration Agent for the Gooding County Extension, then accepted a position to teach English and home economics at Kimberly High School, where she taught for 2 years until she married her husband, Roy.

Jean’s brother, Johnny, invited Roy to the family ski cabin for a trip with friends in February 1953. It was love at first sight for Roy and Jean, and the couple saw each other every day until their marriage on May 31, 1953, at the First Presbyterian Church in Twin Falls. Jean did the bookkeeping for the Jesser Equipment Company, where Roy worked for many years selling Jeeps and farm equipment with his father. She continued as the bookkeeper for the family’s farm, cattle, and Morgan horse businesses, and for VR Bar Ranch, which she and Roy purchased in 1962.

Jean and Roy were married for 67 years and spent many happy times together farming, ranching and raising their four children. They hosted many exchange students when their children were growing up: Soren Johannsen (Denmark), Isabella Bermudas (Ecuador), Fritz Langenegger (Switzerland), and Luis Ortiz (Peru). Jean was particularly close to Soren, who was like another son to her and came from Denmark to visit her often. After their retirement, the couple took great joy in hosting bridge parties, travelling around the country in their RV, going on cruises with their close friends, and spending time with their children and grandchildren.

In addition to farming, Jean and Roy raised Hereford cattle and Morgan horses. Jean was an accomplished horsewoman, and she served as leader of the Twin Valley Saddle 4H Club for 15 years. She also served on several county and state committees and was an active member of the Idaho Morgan Horse Association. She had a feisty sense of humor and loved her horses, flower gardens, and singing in the church choir. She was a devoted and active member of the Twin Falls First United Methodist Church for 70 years. She attended multiple Methodist Conferences over the years in her capacity as a church delegate.

Jean is preceded in death by her husband and parents. She leaves behind her sons Rusty (Wendy) and John (Lisa) Jesser, daughters Susan Jesser and Carolyn (Ron) Harrelson, eleven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Jean was the matriarch of the Jesser clan and often told her family how thankful and blessed she felt for her wonderful life. She will be sorely missed. We take comfort in the knowledge of her deep and abiding faith and look forward to seeing her again one day, singing with the angels in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Twin Falls First United Methodist Church.