Esther V. Jenni

Esther Jenni passed away at age 92 on October 1^st, 2018 at Central Montana Medical Center after a brief illness, surrounded by her close family. She was born July 17, 1926 in Lewistown, MT to Nels and Ragnahild (Stautland) Rolfsness emigrants from Bé¸mlo, Norway. She attended local schools and graduated in 1944 from Fergus County High School. During WW II she worked in the Navy Yards in Bremerton, WA and for a short time at Boeing in Seattle. When she returned to Lewistown she worked at Power Mercantile until her marriage. On Sept. 7, 1947 she was united in marriage to Lawrence Jenni in Lewistown. They shared almost 57 wonderful years together until his death in 2004. They made their home on lower Spring Creek, raising their family and working together to build up their ranch.

She loved her family and always looked forward to their times together. The families' "HUGS" were very special to her. She especially enjoyed her grand and great grandchildren. She always tried to attend their school & sports activities.

Lawrence and Esther enjoyed traveling. Masonic activities took them to almost all 50 states as well as Australia & New Zealand. They visited Germany and then on to Norway to the homes of Esther's relatives and the places her parents lived. Later they enjoyed an Elderhostel in Switzerland near where the Jenni family came from.

Esther loved the water! She loved visiting Carol & Pete at their home on Flathead Lake. Her trips to Patti Jo & John's always included time on the Oregon coast, another special treat for her.

The ranch was her favorite place of all. She enjoyed seeing the many improvements Don & Nancy and their family have made on it. She was able to stay in her home on the ranch longer thanks to their care.

Esther enjoyed bird watching, knitting, reading, and genealogy. She was known as a good cook and no ranch hand ever left the table hungry.  

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and served as a Sunday school teacher and an elder. She was a charter member of the South Moccasin Community Club and of the Sons of Norway, a member of Eastern Star, Daughters of the Nile, Farm Bureau, a Pinochle club and the "Out to Lunch Bunch" (Fergus classmates who started meeting in 1944.)

She is survived by three children, Carol (Peter) Nelson of Kalispell, MT, Don (Nancy) Jenni of Lewistown and Patti Jo (John) Meshnik of Eugene, OR; nine grandchildren, Jenn (Christopher) Rowlison, David Nelson, Thad (Angie) Jenni, Scott (Kate) Jenni, Michael Jenni and Kendra, Paul, Haley, Greg (Anna) Meshnik; six great grandchildren Lachlan & Marielle Rowlison, Parker Miner & Bellamy Jenni, Liam Jenni, & Jane Meshnik.

In addition to her husband Lawrence, she was preceded in death by her sisters; Margaret (Jerry) Larson, Ruth (Gifford) Maryott, Edna (Bert) Bjornson, Mildred (Harold) Bjornson and brothers Oscar (Nonnie) Rolfsness, Nels (Wampie) Rolfsness, and Robert (Margaret) Rolfsness.

A Celebration of Life for Esther Jenni will Saturday October 6^th, 2018 at 2:00 pm at the First Presbyterian Church, private committal will be in the Lewistown City Cemetery. Cloyd Funeral Home is caring for the family.

Friends are asked to make memorials to the First Presbyterian Church, Lewistown Shrine Travel Fund, Sons of Norway or the charity of your choice and they may be left at Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.