Tenth Generation

81. Sayra Jeanette "Jean" ARITY was born on 28 December 1918 in Monroe County, WI.^38,45 According to Jean, her given name was originally "Sara Jeanette" and she tells this story about her name change: "...Clarence Sayres, whose Wisconsin home is with our family, said 'You can have my name.' So instead of Sara Jeanette Arity, I became Sayra Jeanette Arity. And a nice gentle bachelor had 2 kids named after him, although the spelling was modified."

. She appeared in the census in 1920 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁸ She was listed as "Sarah G." She appeared in the census in 1930 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴² She was listed as "Sarah J." Jean graduated in 1931 in Kirby, Lincoln Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹⁷ Her three classmates were LaVern Griggs, Sylvester Heeler and Virgie Purdy. She graduated in 1935 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹⁷ from Tomah High School. After 1935 she was an elementary school teacher in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹⁷ After her retirement, she was a member of the Tomah Writers Group and wrote a periodic column entitled "Reflections" for the Tomah Journal newspaper. Jean died on 30 March 2011 at the age of 92 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.¹¹⁸

Obituary Notes: "Sayra “Jean” Anderson Lessor, age 92, of Tomah, passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2011, at Touch of Home. She was born the only daughter of Leeds and Gayle (Moseley) Arity Dec. 28, 1918, on the family farm North of Tomah.

She enjoyed her childhood on the family farm and attended elementary school at Kirby School and graduated from Tomah High School. She then received her teachers training and her bachelor’s degree. For ten years she taught students in rural schools of Monroe County.

Following her marriage to Clarence Anderson, the next years were devoted to being a busy housewife and mother to their two children, Joan and Chris. She later returned to her teaching career where she taught at Miller Elementary School for 16 years. Following her husband, Clarence “Norsky’s” retirement, they enjoyed traveling and were involved in church and community activities. Norsky died unexpectedly in 1993.

In a grief support meeting she met Robert Lessor, whom she married in December of 1995. In their life together, they continued activities in local organizations, their churches, the Tomah Area Museum and Monroe County Retired Educators. They also enjoyed traveling and spent many winters in South Carolina where his sister and her family lived. Jean was an avid writer, knitter, reader and her passion was doing genealogy.

She is survived by her children, Joan Ebersold of Minneapolis and Chris (Myra) Anderson of Tomah; grandchildren, Caitlin, Courtney and Sayra (William) Rethwisch; great-grandchildren, Luke, Augustine and Andrew; her brother, Darrel (Beverly) Arity of Tomah; a special niece, Doris Johnson of Tomah; four step- daughters, Ann Lessor of St. Paul, Janet (Kris) Lawrence and their sons, Cory and Tyler of Maryland, Terri Schumacher of Tomah and Jane Lessor of Ladysmith; two sisters-in-law, Dolores Johnson of Minnesota and Mary (Roy) Rolig of South Carolina, cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Clarence and Robert; a brother, Preston and his wife, Irene; and a brother Claire and his wife Patricia.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 15, at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ. Pastor Edwin Stigen will officiate. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation Thursday, April 14, 2011, from 5-7 p.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Memorials in memory of Jean may be given to the First Congregational United Church of Christ. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneral"

Sayra Jeanette "Jean" ARITY and Clarence I. "Norsky" ANDERSON were married.⁴⁴ Before 1972 Clarence I. "Norsky" ANDERSON was a chief of protective serices at the VA Hospital Medical Center in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁵ He died in 1993.¹¹⁹

Sayra Jeanette "Jean" ARITY and Clarence I. "Norsky" ANDERSON had the following children:

Sayra Jeanette "Jean" ARITY and Robert LESSOR were married in December 1995.^119,120 Robert LESSOR was born on 14 November 1923 in Cloquet, Carlton County, MN.²⁶ He died on 16 October 2005 at the age of 81 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁶

Obituary Notes: "Robert Lessor, age 81, of Tomah, WI, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005, at his home in Tomah. He was born on Nov. 14, 1923, to Archie and Cecelia (Kesler) Lessor in Cloquet, MN. He served in the United States Navy during WWII and was stationed aboard the USS Sangamon, USS Charger, USS Antietam and the USS Midway.

Bob was very active in the Tomah community and belonged to many organizations. He was a former Boy Scout leader, a member of the Tomah Area Historical Museum, the Knights of Columbus, Monroe County Crime Stoppers, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), he was past president of National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), a former Tomah City Council board member and he currently served as an Ambassador for the Tomah Area Chamber of Commerce. Bob was very dedicated and active in the church. His family and the Tomah community will sadly miss him.

He is survived by his wife, Sayra Jean Lessor of Tomah; his daughters, Ann Lessor of St. Paul, MN, Janet (Kris) Lawrence of Lexington Park, MD, Terri Schumacher and Jane Lessor, both of Tomah, WI; sisters, Mary (Roy) Rolig of North Augusta, SC, and Delores Johnson of Two Harbors, MN; three grandchildren, Adam, Cory, Tyler; two step-children, Chris (Myra) Anderson of Tomah and Joan Ebersold of Minneapolis, MN; step grandchildren, Sayra (William Jr.) Rethwisch, Courtney and Caitlin Anderson, all of Tomah; and two step-great-grandchildren, Andrew and Augustine; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The Very Rev. Steven Kachel will officiate. A private family burial will take place in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Tuesday, Oct. 18, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a 6 p.m. prayer service by Pastor Edwin Stigen at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Tomah. Family and friends are also invited for visitation on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service with a rosary by the Knights of Columbus at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Memorials may be given to the Tomah Hospice Touch. The Torkelson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements."

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