Jessie Bohner

Jessie Marie Bohner was born September 6, 1914 in Boone, Iowa. She was the only child of Vera Berl Crouthamel and Mark Edward Berl. Her father died in 1920. On April 4, 1922 her mother married Charles William Rinehart. Her mother died December 5, 1947, and her step father died on November 15, 1963.

Jessie graduated from high school in Watertown, South Dakota in 1932. She attended college at Iowa State University where she pledged to Psi Chi, a national honorary psychological fraternity. She graduated in 1936. In 1937 she moved to Des Moines and took a job with Equitable of Iowa as a mathematical assistant. In 1967 she was promoted to assistant secretary. She retired from Equitable as the manager of actuarial services in the spring of 1977.

She was a member of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ and P.E.O. chapter LL. She was also active in the former Pilot Club. She loved to travel to different countries and even went on a safari in Africa. She enjoyed visiting friends and family and always remained very active. She was diagnosed with liver cancer in 1992. She took chemotherapy treatments regularly, but lost her struggle with the disease on January 17, 1994.

I am dedicating this brick in her name because she was the only remaining relative on my fathers side. Although she was only a second cousin to me, she was more like a mother figure. My brothers and I each took turns visiting for the weekend, which was always a highlight of our summer vacation. She never married or had her own children, so she spoiled my brothers and I with ornately wrapped gifts for Christmas and our birthdays. She always knew just what we wanted. She's the one that bought me my first doll, my first Barbie, my first sleeping bag, and much more. I can still remember each gift I received and treasure those gifts I still have. She filled all her visits with her hearty laughter and warmth. She was a big part of my childhood and I will always hold a special place in my heart for her.
9/21/95