Jerry Hesebeck, age 82, of Lake Park, Iowa, died on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at Aspire of Lake Park Care Center in Lake Park.
A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Harris Community Building in Harris, Iowa.
Jerry Fredrick Hesebeck, the son of Fredrick and Gertrude (Beers) Hesebeck, was born on December 30, 1941, in Sibley, Iowa. He grew up in the Melvin and Ocheyedan area, starting in country school and then attending in Melvin, Iowa.
On January 18, 1963, Jerry married LaRene Wolter at the First Baptist Church in Sibley, Iowa. The couple raised their four children in the rural areas of Melvin and Milford, Iowa, before settling in Harris, Iowa.
Jerry began working on the farm at a young age and went on to become a hired man for other area farmers, Floyd Harding and Bob Timmons. He began working for Vernon Dykstra in the fall of 1978 and would remain there to later work with his son, Todd Dykstra, until his retirement. With Todd growing up around Jerry, it was less of an employment relationship and more like family.
Jerry was both hard-working and fun-loving. An early riser, his work ethic resulted in him “having half a day’s worth of work done before most people get out of bed.” He was sure to stop for coffee and lunch breaks, but rarely did he have idle time. When he wasn’t at work he enjoyed camping, fishing, Sunday drives, and spending time with family and friends. He spent summer months mowing and doing yard work, working on outdoor projects, and gardening with LaRene. Winter months brought clearing snow, spending evenings doing puzzles, and attending the grandchildren’s school events. He was a faithful member of the Excelsior United Methodist Church in rural Milford, Iowa, and enjoyed the country setting for Sunday worship.
Jerry passed away on July 9, 2024, at the Aspire nursing home in Lake Park, Iowa, at 82 years of age.
He is survived by his children, Treven (Jennifer) Hesebeck of Lake Park, IA; Trent (Samnang) Hesebeck of Ocheyedan, IA; Rebeka Hesebeck of Minneapolis, MN; and Traves (JoAnna) Hesebeck of Harris, IA; Twelve grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fredrick and Gertrude; his wife, LaRene; sister, Betty Menze; and brothers, James and Ronald Hesebeck.
