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Gene A. Lessen

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[April 22, 2024]  LINCOLN - Gene A. Lessen, 90, of Lincoln, IL, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at Luther Oaks in Bloomington.

Visitation:  9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lincoln

Service:  11 a.m. Thursday at the church

Funeral home: Fricke-Calvert-Schrader, Lincoln   

Obituary

Gene A. Lessen, 90, of Lincoln, IL, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024, at Luther Oaks in Bloomington.

Gene was born on February 11, 1934, the son of Arend “Arnie” and Lena (Luken) Lessen Theobald. He married Marianna Grussing on August 17, 1958, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hartsburg.

Gene is survived by his wife, Marianna; son, Larry (Beth) of Bloomington; three granddaughters, Hannah (Phil) Randazzo, Molly Lessen, and Kaylee (Ian) Brugman; and four step-grandchildren, Matthew Brown, Justin Brown, Kaylee (Joel) Kussmann and Brandon Brown; and his two great-grandchildren, Brooklyn and Maverick Brown.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Darrell and Donald Lessen; and one sister, Patsy Gehlbach.

Gene was a graduate of Lincoln Community High School in 1951. He farmed with his stepfather until he entered the U.S. Army in September 1955. While in the Army, he completed a course in the Artillery and Guided Missile School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Gene remained there as an assistant instructor and part of the office staff of the school until he was discharged from active duty in September 1957. Following his discharge from the Army, he began his employment with the Logan County Highway Department and remained there nearly 39 years.

Gene was an active lifetime member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lincoln, serving as Treasurer four years and a Finance Committee member for four years. He had been an usher for many years, including ushering at funerals. For a long time he was involved in putting up the “Chrismon Trees” in the church for Christmas.

Gene enjoyed bowling and later golfing. He loved photography. He was a great basketball fan, especially when his son, Larry, played on the Lincoln High School’s and Illinois Wesleyan University’s teams. Gene also enjoyed watching his granddaughters’ participation in sports and spending time with all of his family. He enjoyed square dancing, playing cards, attending musical programs and traveling.

He and Marianna volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels for Community Action and joined the Oasis Senior Center.

Services for Gene will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lincoln with Pastor Brian Wachendorf officiating. Visitation will take place two hours prior to the service from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. also at the church.

Memorials may be made in Gene’s name to Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln.

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