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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.
Click here to send a note of condolence to the family of Gene A.
Lessen |
