James Richard Gessner, 83, of Lecanto, FL and Duluth, MN, died Wednesday, April 20, 2022 at Vitas Hospice House in Lecanto. He was born May 13, 1938 in Duluth to Lester and Helen Viola “Vi” (Johnson) Gessner. A 1956 graduate of Duluth East High School, he continued his education at UW/Madison, graduating with a Bachelor of Administration in 1960. Jim served his country in the Army Infantry during the Berlin Crisis. His basic training in infantry training began in September 1960 at Fort Leonard Wood, MS, followed by officer training at Fort Benning, GA. He was then stationed at Fort Lewis, WA as a 2nd Lt. in Counter- Intelligence. Jim started his career in insurance with the Aetna Insurance Company in Aurora, IL. Wanting to get back to the Northland he returned to Duluth and began working for Dunning & Dunning, and later at Korkki Gessner (1968-1988) which was the predecessor to ISA Insurance, of which he was President until its merger with Otis-Magie Insurance.
MIDDLETON, Wis. — Athletes from around Wisconsin gathered at Blackhawk Ski Club for a ski jumping tournament Sunday. This is the 76th year that the club has held the tournament. Jumpers as young as 5 years old took flight from 8, 18, and 30 meter jumps. “I’ve only been coaching for, like, a year and I’ve been jumping every year.