Gustave Jessen
August 22, 1888 - June 12, 1958
Gustave Jessen was born on August 22, 1888 to Henry and Anna (Berndt) Jessen. His family moved to the White, SD area where they took up farming. Gustave was the 5th child born (older siblings Henry, Mary, Lillian, and Anna and younger siblings Frederick and Lona). He enlisted on October 4, 1917 and in April of 1918, he entered the service and was a Private in Co. D, 30th Div of the 105 Ammunition TN. Gustave's brother, Frederick, also joined the service and died from injuries received there on October 29, 1918.
Gustave was discharged on April 10, 1919 and he returned to the White, SD area where he met and married Florence Ruehl. They lived their entire married life in White where they served the community as members of the Zion Lutheran Church. They had one son, Douglas, who was born on October 14, 1928 and died on October 23, 1928.
Gustave was the caretaker of Fairview Cemetery for ten years. Gustave died on June 12, 1958 and Florence died in December of 1995.
