Wilma Jenssen ( fm Beason), was born Wilma May Malacek, the daughter of Joseph and Helen Malecek, on October 21st, 1927, Cedar Rapids, IA. Wilma departed this mortal coil just as she wished, surrounded by her loved ones on December 14, 2022 in Guilderland, NY.

Originally from Cedar Rapids, Wilma moved to New York City in 1959 after graduating from Drake University, and finally settled in the Capital District in 1972. She had a vibrant career in early childhood education beginning with receiving her Masters in Education at the Teacher's College at Columbia University and continued education at Bank Street College in New York.

Wilma  cherished her part in the congregation at Westminster Presbyterian Church, and was involved in community outreach with the Church for many years. She also enjoyed the theater and was a long time supporter of the arts, including  volunteer work with the Albany Art Institute and the Egg.  Wilma dedicated much of her free time working in the community with the election board, as a volunteer with the Guilderland zoning committee, and other invested pursuits. In her private time she could always be found baking, working in her garden, or keeping up with family, friends, and colleagues. Wilma touched countless lives, and will be dearly missed and always remembered.

Wilma was predeceased by her Husband, Jens Bron Jenssen, her sisters Maxine (Malecek) Van Hamme and Beverley "Belle" (Malecek) Medberry, and her son Kirk Donald Beason.

  She is survived by her sisters Norma Joyce (Malecek) Palmer, and Mary Lou (Malacek) Lurth, her children, Eric Lee Beason, Wendy Elizabeth (Beason) Fleischman, and  David Hilliard Winston, her grandchildren Rachel Fleischman Mabb, Blossom Beason, Evan Kowal, Braxton Winston, Brandon Winston, Eva Beason, as well as her great grandchildren Isly Benton, Wyatt Mabb, Braxton Winston III, Shyanne Winston, Brooklyn Winston, Scarlett Kowal, and Alexander Kowal.

Wilma requested a celebration of life be held in her honor as opposed to traditional funeral services. We invite all of Wilma’s loved ones in celebrating her amazing life. We will have a memorial at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Albany  on January 21st, 2023. We are also planning a celebration of life in the late spring, details forthcoming.

"And when great souls die,

after a period peace blooms,

slowly and always

irregularly. Spaces fill

with a kind of

soothing electric vibration.

Our senses, restored, never

to be the same, whisper to us.

They existed. They existed.

We can be. Be and be

better. For they existed."

- Maya Angelou

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