Jessie Fern Rossner

Jessie Fern Rossner age 77, of Sparta, died Saturday, May 17, 2014, at Strafford Care Center after a long illness. She was born July 7, 1936, in Chadwick, the daughter of Nathan and Mary Louisa (Proctor) Lilly. On July 9, 1954, she was united in marriage to Otto Dean Rossner. They moved from Missouri to the west coast and settled in Oregon. They lived there until 1968, then returned to this area. Jessie was a homemaker, and her days were busy raising their three children. She enjoyed family, sewing, and flower gardening. In 1971 Dean and Jessie, along with Jessie's brother Joe Lilly, extended the D&J Hardware business they opened in 1968, to include Peoples Market. Jessie worked full time at the store while raising their children. They continued to operate the business for 12 years. She and Dean enjoyed traveling for two years after retirement. Grandchildren were a blessing that enriched their lives. Survivors include: two sons and their wives, Dwayne and Sharon Rossner of Rogersville, and Randy and Lynn Rossner of Springfield; a daughter and her husband Ronda and Rick Schmitz of Wadena, Minnesota; seven grandchildren, Jennifer and Stephen, Travis and Ashlee, and Joshua, Lukas and Jessica; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Joe Lilly and wife Garolyn of Sparta; two sisters, Lois Zatorski of Virginia and Doris Ward and husband Holly of Oklahoma; a sister-in-law, Sidney Lilly of Springfield; many nieces and nephews; cousins and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean, in 1993; her parents, Nathan and Louisa; an infant brother, George Ray; an infant sister, Dora Nan; two sisters, Ruth Trafficanti and Betty Richardson; and a brother Dean Lilly. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Strafford Care Center Staff for the wonderful care given to Jessie. A graveside funeral will be 11:00 AM Thursday, May 22, in Chadwick Memorial Cemetery, with Rev. Ben DeWitt officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 - 7:00 PM Wednesday in Adams Funeral Home, Ozark.