Obituary: Jesse H. Oles

Jesse H. Oles, 83, lifelong resident of Cloquet, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. He was born on Nov. 25, 1939, in Cloquet, the son of Leonard and Jennie (Anderson) Oles. Jess was a 1957 graduate of Carlton High School and proudly served in the U.S. Army in Korea. Jess was united in marriage to Jacquelyn Nyrud on Sept. 5, 1959. He was a member of Saints Mary and Joseph Catholic Church of Sawyer. Jess was a lifelong electrician and belonged to IBEW Local 242. He enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, and camping. He had a very creative side and often told people, “If you can describe it, I can build it,” and would do so without asking anything in return.

Jess enjoyed sports and cars. He was one of the founding fathers of the Carlton Amateur Hockey Association and often ran the scoreboard at the Carlton football games. He loved his Minnesota Twins and (as with the rest of us) kept the faith for a Super Bowl win for his Minnesota Vikings.

Jess will be deeply missed by his wife, Jackie; his children James Oles, Jana (Tim) Heisick and Jill (Brian) Bartz; grandchildren, Jessica, Jennifer, Megan, Andy, Zoey, Kyle, Alec and Grace; great-grandchildren, Liliana, Milo, Niko and Remy; brother, Gene Oles; brother-in-law, David Nyrud; and numerous extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents; son Jared; and sister, Helen Anderson.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet, and continuing at 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Memorial Mass on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Saints Mary and Joseph Catholic Church in Sawyer. A spring burial will be held at the Camp Ripley Cemetery – Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. To leave an online condolence, visit http://www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.