Connie Ann (Archuleta) Jessen

Connie A. (Archuleta) Jessen
September 14, 1940 – July 8, 2020

Beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend, departed for Heaven on Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Connie was born in Las Vegas, NM, the eldest daughter of Ernest and Agnes Archuleta. The family moved to Albuquerque where she graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1958.

Connie married the love of her life, Larry Jessen, and together they raised six children.

She was employed at Kirtland Air Force Base, IBM and later became the proud owner of Honey Bear Hollow, a children’s clothing store. She and Larry then changed gears and entered the aviation industry, where they founded Southwest Aerotech in Albuquerque. The Jessens subsequently moved the business to Roswell where they also established Great Southwest Aviation. Connie was a member of the Roswell Symphony Board, Altrusa and St. Eleanor’s Catholic Church in Ruidoso.

After retirement, Connie and Larry moved to Alto, NM where they made lasting friendships and Connie enjoyed countless hours of playing Mah Jong with her wonderful girlfriends. She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of family, faith, friendship, goodwill and love.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Robert; and her, sister Lorraine. She is survived by her husband, Larry; and their children, Kim Duncan, Kevin Fannin, Kathy Ellis, Craig Jessen (Nancy Kinney), Erik Jessen (Andrea Wood) and Stacy Jessen (Craig Collinsworth). She is also survived by seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; her brother, Phillip Archuleta; and her sister, Loretta Bates (Jim); along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Connie had her mother’s grace and strength and her father’s enthusiasm for life which she shared with everyone she met. She loved nothing more than being surrounded by the laughter and love of family and friends. She was the ultimate hostess!

A private Visitation and Rosary will be held on Monday, July 13, 2020 beginning at 6:00 p.m. To view the live stream of the Visitation and Rosary, please click on the link below. A public Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 9:00 a.m., St. Joseph on the Rio Grande Catholic Church, 5901 St. Josephs Drive NW. Due to current state regulations, the family is unable to host a reception following the services.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of your choosing in honor of Connie Jessen.