Jessie C (Bakken) Mayer, 96, passed away on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 in the Nora Springs Care Center.
January 2, 1927 – April 4, 2023
A Funeral Service will be held 10:30am Monday, April 10, 2023 at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd St NE Mason City, IA, with Pastor Sue Simmons officiating. Burial will be held in the Evergreen Cemetery in Rudd, IA.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 9:30am to 10:30am on Monday, April 10, 2023 at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel.
Jessie Bakken was born January 2, 1927 in Forest City, IA, the daughter of Albert and Jessie (Colby) Bakken. Her mother passed away January 3, 1927 and Jessie was then cared for by her uncle and aunt Martin and Annette Thompson to a wonderful loving home on their farm east of Leland, IA. Her cousins soon became her brothers and sisters. Something that Jessie loved sharing was that her first sleigh ride was when she was one day old with three miles of country road blocked by snow drifts.
Jessie was a graduate of Leland High School’s Class of 1944. After graduation she worked as a telephone operator in Forest City, Mason City, and Rudd. She loved music and had a summer radio show over KICO in Spencer, IA. One day while working at the radio show she met Ernest Tubb and the Texas Troubadours from Nashville, TN, and had the privilege of singing with his band during two of their shows. One of her greatest accomplishments was joining the Happy Jakes Western and Old Time Band as “Cousin Jessie” for 25 years playing rhythm, guitar, and vocals.
On July 29, 1948, Jessie married Ivan “Pete” Bennett of Rudd, IA, he was the drummer of Happy Jake Band. He passed away February 28, 1976. On September 7, 1996, Jessie married Leo Mayer of Rudd, IA. As a hobby the couple enjoyed their horses, especially two black percherons. Leo passed away on February 19, 2010.
Throughout the years Jessie worked as a nurse’s aid, helped in a greenhouse and floral shop, as well as Winnebago Industries. Later on she collected clothes and items for the Lakota Sioux Indians on Pine Ridge Reservation, Wounded Knee, SD. She sent out over 30 loads of items.
Those left to cherish memories of Jessie are her numerous nieces, nephews and a few close friends.
Jessie is preceded in death by two husbands; both parents; siblings, Delores Neu, Gordon Reimann, Helen Bailey, Carol (Dave) Cusisk, Marilyn (Bill) Ranch, Ruby Garratto, Loretta Eide, and Arthur Thompson.
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