Levon A. Jackman (Kitten O'Day)

Levon A. Jackman (Kitten O’Day) Levon A Jackman, 91, of Fargo, ND and Galena, IL, died February 5th with her family and husband by her side.  Levon was born on September 8th, 1924 to Charles and Althea Merchant in Elgin, IL.  She spent her early childhood in Dubuque IA. Later moving to Springfield IL where she attended high school.  She graduated from Purdue University in 1946 with a BS in Home Economics.  She was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.  After graduation, Levon was a women’s ready to wear buyer for Herndon’s Department Store in Springfield, IL.  She married Dan J O’Day in 1947; she made her home in Fargo, ND where she spent the next 33 years raising her family.  An active member of the artist community, she was one of the four founding members of Gallery 4, which was then located in the old DeLendrecie’s building on Main Street in Fargo.  Levon was a member the Junior League and a former president of her PEO chapter.  Levon was a respected and a well-known artist who shared her love of art with her family and friends. She was known for her knitting, being an excellent seamstress and a spectacular cook. In 1980 Levon moved to Galena, IL and subsequently married Warren A. Jackman where she purchased an historic landmark building on Main Street and opened Riverside Gallery, where she enjoyed showcasing her art as well as local artists. She loved exploring the Galena area, choir and fellowship of her beloved Grace Episcopal Church and her friends at the Galena Territory. Levon is survived by her husband Warren A. Jackman, brother Dean Merchant, Daniel James O’Day (former husband), her children Susan O’Day, Peggy Heglie-Kilbane, Jim O’Day, Jean Gottenborg and Anne Paton, 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in the spring at Grace Episcopal Church, Galena, IL.  Because of her lifetime love of cats, memorials can be sent to Cat’s Cradle Shelter Inc., 9 Ninth Street South, Fargo, ND 58103.  www.catscradleshelter.org