Joellen Kaye (Morlan) Espeseth

          “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting Life” - John 3:16

                Joellen “Jo” Kaye Espeseth, 75, of Aitkin, MN passed away on May 27, 2025 at home.  Jo was born in Centerville, Iowa to Robert “Bob” and Vi Morlan.  She graduated from Davis County High School, Bloomfield, Iowa; McPherson College, McPherson, KS and then graduated from Broadlawns School of Nursing in Des Moines, Iowa.  Jo was a very caring and dedicated nurse working at Des Moines Broadlawns Hospital, Des Moines General Hospital and Iowa Methodist Hospital over the years and she also worked with many specialty doctors in Bloomfield and Des Moines, Iowa.

                Jo was united in marriage to Lenny Espeseth, the love of her life, on October 2, 1993 in Des Moines, Iowa at her brother Jack’s home. Lenny and Jo made their home in Aitkin where she was Lenny’s helpmate in life working together in their fur business and going to many rendezvous.

                Jo loved God’s nature and had a special place in her heart for God’s precious animals and birds.  She loved making many of them their companions, especially Rudy, Skip, Keesha, Miss and, also Momma Squirrel, Chipy and Bunny.  She loved them all and they loved her!

                Jo was a precious faith-filled believer full of God’s Love “thru it all” and was such a special person to know and love.  She was so full of joy and laughter and had a zest for life.  She always thought of others first and was always willing to help everyone and share God’s love.  She was a blessing to those who knew and loved her…and she will be greatly missed by all.

                Jo was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Vi Morlan and her parents-in-law, Oscar and Alice Espeseth, all whom Jo loved dearly, and also many other family members. 

                Jo is survived by her loving, faithful husband, Lenny; her brother, Jack (Paula) of Johnston, IA; her sisters, Jill Jencks of Marion, IA; Julie (Kurt) Swaim of Bloomfield, IA and Jane Morlan of Marion, IA; and “close as a sister”, sister-in-law, Linda Danielson and many Brother and Sister-in-laws and their families.  Also, many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends, who also loved Jo very much.

We would like to share with you a poem that Jo’s mother, Vi, wrote in 1953 after her Grandpa Orris passed away and it also reflects our sentiment of Jo:

  “We miss those loved ones who have gone before us, 

                   We miss their laughter and their tender ways.

                   They shared so much throughout their life,

                   But in our hearts, those memories stay.

                   E’en though they’ve lived their life on earth

                   And here they’ll trod no more,

                   We know they have met our Wonderful Savior

                   On that beautiful shining shore.

                   To we, who still have days on this earth

                   To live as we choose from day to day,

                   May we leave memories that are true and good

                   That will guide others on earth’s highway.”

                                                                                                                Marie Shaw – 1953

                   Visitation will be on Friday, June 6, 2025, from 1-2 p.m. with the Service following at the Maria Chapel near Ripple Lake.

                   Lenny and our families would like to thank each of you for your love

 and friendship for Jo through the years and for being here today to honor her life.  We are grateful for your kind thoughts and prayers throughout this time.  We also want to thank the Hospice Team for their diligent care for Jo during the past several months. Also, a big “thank you” to Jo’s Sister-in-law, Linda, for her loving, dedicated care of Jo and time spent being with her and helping whenever needed…truly a special blessing!

                   We thank God for all the many blessings He has gifted us with over the many years.

                   God Bless Each of You!

                                                                                Lenny and The Families

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