Linda Irene Jessen-Mathes, 70, of Lexington, died Saturday, July 7, 2018 at CHI Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Kearney.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Parkview Baptist Church in Lexington with Pastor John Shield, officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington. A reception and light meal will follow at the Park View Baptist Church.

Linda was born on June 2, 1948 in Lexington. She was the oldest child of Nis & Irene (Kirkegaard) Jessen and lived in Lexington most of her life. After graduating from Lexington High School with the class of 1970, she worked at Frankie’s Care Home in Lexington. She then moved to North Platte and attended Mid Plains Community College and earned a medical secretarial, an administrative secretarial diplomas as well as her Associate of Arts Degree in 1982. After graduation she became a nurse’s aide at the North Platte Care Center this is where she met her future husband, Dennis Mathes. After dating just three months they married on January 31, 1986. She was a pianist and vocalist with the Junior Choir at the Messiah Lutheran Church in North Platte.

Linda and Dennis enjoyed camping, music, and visiting with family. Linda helped manage her aunt Dorothy’s apartments in North Platte. By 2010 they were both living at Park Avenue Estates (Brookdale), which Linda called home until she went to be with the Lord. She cheerfully became the ‘Door Greeter’ at Brookdale and welcomed everyone with a big smile and wave as her eyes lit up with joy. The caregivers and residents showed Linda such deep love, care, and friendship, which provided her family with great peace of mind.

A strong support group surrounded Linda, helping her travel to dialysis, church, and various errands. We cannot adequately thank the village of friends that helped to make Linda’s life more comfortable and fulfilled.

Linda loved to play piano, sing, do crafts, and write thoughts about God and His grace. Linda’s warm, loving heart, bright smile and sparkling eyes will be dearly missed but we are all at peace that she is now with her Lord.

Linda is survived by two brothers, Nis (Wendy) Jessen of Roseburg, Ore., and Cliff (Karen) Jessen of Apple Valley, Calif.; one sister, Karen (Larry) Schneider of Yuma, Colo., as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, uncles, aunts and many cousins.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Nis and Irene Jessen, infant brother John Frederick and husband Dennis.

Memorials are suggested to the Fresenius Kidney Care Overland Trails in Kearney or The donor’s choice.