from article published in the March 28, 1957 Pilot-Tribune, Blair, Nebraska , as researched by JoAnn Hultberg

Her first husband was Jens "Nick" Jessen (born October 4, 1864 in Denmark, and he and Minnie were married March 5, 1894 in the Washington County, Nebraska judge's office). They did belong to St. Paul Lutheran in Orum, where their five children were baptized. The oldest, was Jens Joseph "Joe" Jessen (bur. in Blair Cemetery--died 1985) Then there were 3 girls and another boy. Note: 2 of the children -passed away shortly after birth and are buried in Lincoln Cemetery. The girl, Mary Sophie Jessen, was 4 months old when she died; the boy, Peter Leonard Jessen, was born 1904 and died 6 months later). and her second husband was Christian Bensen.

Minnie and Nick had 5 children.

Jens Joseph "Joe" Jessen, d. 1985

Alice Jessen (m. Albert Jenson), d. 1980

Mary Sophie Jessen, b. 1899, died August 1899 (4 months old)

Mabel Cecilia Jessen, b. 1900, married Harry E. Christiansen in 1919, died 1921 of a car accident

Peter Leonard Jessen. b. January, 1904, died June, 1904

Nick left and died elsewhere.

Minnie was remarried , in 1907, to Christian Bensen. They were blessed with 2 sons.

Albert was born in 1909 (he married LaNetta Gnuse)

Orville was born in 1912.

MRS. BENSEN, 81, IS DEAD

LIFETIME COUNTY RESIDENT DIED LAST WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN OMAHA

Funeral services for 81-year-old Mrs. Minnie Bensen, a lifetime resident of Washington County, who died last Wednesday night in an Omaha hospital, were held Sunday at the Orum Lutheran Church and interment followed in the Orum Cemetery.O

Mrs. Bensen was born May 26, 1875, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Paulsen (Note: over the years, he spelled his surname in a variety of ways)

Survivors include three sons, Aubert Bensen of west of Blair, Orville Bensen of Fremont and Joe Jessen of Blair; one daughter, Mrs. Albert Jensen (Alice) of Omaha; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The Bendorf Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers were Robert and James Bensen, John Jessen, Howard Thompson, Harold Jensen and Richard Freeman.

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Obituary courtesy of Washington County, Nebraska Genealogical Association; newspaper clippings on file at the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska; Note: 1st husband Nick Jessen; 2nd husband Chris Bensen; Note: cemetery records indicate that while Nick Jessen had planned to be buried in Row D, No. 10 beside Minnie, in fact he was buried in Blair, Nebraska, next to his 2nd wife.

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