Jennie Vestlie, 79, Sioux Falls, S.D., formerly of Luverne, died Sunday, May 11, 2003, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls.Services were Wednesday, May 14, at Grace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Burial was at Flower Field Cemetery in Hills. Jennie Katherine Gabrielson was born to Jens and Karen Gabrielson on Jan. 26, 1924, in Luverne. She grew up in southwestern Minnesota and graduated from Luverne High School in 1941.She married Ruben Vestlie on Dec. 2, 1946. After their marriage, the couple made their home in Sioux Falls. Through the years she worked for several Sioux Falls firms. She served on the Washington High School cafeteria staff for many years and was a favorite among students.Mrs. Vestlie was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. Church activities, reading and baking were her interests. One of her greatest joys in life was fishing at the family cabin in northern Minnesota. Survivors include her husband, Ruben, Sioux Falls; two sons, Russ (Debby) Vestlie, Madison, Wis., and Richard (Lauri) Vestlie, Sioux Falls; one daughter, Marlys (Frank) Bernard, Sioux Falls; 10 grandchildren, Michael, Joel, David, Jeremy, Sarah, Joshua, Kate, Karin, Kristen and Kaylyn; one great-grandchild, Hannah; three brothers, George (Arna) Gabrielson, John (Audrey) Gabrielson, and Russell (Olga) Gabrielson, all of Luverne, and one sister-in-law, Martha Lindrud, Hills. Mrs. Vestlie was preceded in death by her parents, and one grandson, Adam Vestlie. Chapel Hills Funeral Home, Sioux Falls, was in charge of arrangements.
