In loving memory of

Paul Wendell Sesker
June 3, 1937 - August 1, 2017

Paul Wendell Sesker, 80, of Tipton, passed away after a long battle with pancreatic cancer on August 1, 2017.
He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and son who loved his family dearly. He also was a beloved and selfless teacher and coach for parts of five decades at Tipton High School and Middle School. He also taught and coached in Cylinder, Van Meter and Dows.
He coached boys and girls state champions in numerous hurdling events in track, was an offensive guru in football, a huge proponent of both 6-on-6 and 5-on-5 girls' basketball, and an aggressive style coach in baseball. For him, it was always about the athletes, and helping them achieve their goals and dreams. He also taught social studies at the middle school and high school level.
He had a dry, sarcastic wit and sense of humor. One of his lifelong wishes came true last year when his beloved Chicago Cubs won the World Series.
He was born June 3, 1937 in Maxwell, Iowa. He was a 1955 graduate of Maxwell High School. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956-59 as a parachute rigger and an airborne paratrooper stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., home of the 101st Airborne Division.
He went on to graduate from Ellsworth Community College and Northwest Missouri State University before embarking on his teaching and coaching career.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, of Tipton, who he married in 1999; his four sons: Brian Sesker, of Stanwood, Craig Sesker, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Kent Sesker, of Cedar Rapids, and Aaron Sesker, of Pearl City, Ill.; his six grandchildren and one great grandchild.
He also is survived by his sister, Shirley Minear of Orlando, Fla., and his brothers, Wayne Sesker of Forest City and Bruce Sesker of Maxwell. He was preceded in death by his wife, Bette Lee Dalton, who he was married to from 1964-1997; his parents, Bayard and Lulabelle Sesker; his brothers, Dean and Donald Sesker, and his sister, Karen Harrison.
Funeral services will be held Friday, August 4, 2017, 10:00 a.m. at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton, with interment at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. There will be a reception to follow at St. Mary's Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to pancreatic cancer research.

Tributes

Terri Swenson wrote on Aug 10, 2017:

"Aaron and family, sorry to hear about the passing of your father. It sounds like he was a wonderful man and respected by many. May memories sustain everyone at this time."

Dawn (siders) McCune wrote on Aug 7, 2017:

"I'm a former student it's been about 17 years since I sat in a desk in a classroom with him. He knew I had a rough home life that my mother an early recovering alcoholic was often not the easiest person to live with. He did everything he could to toughen me up. From calling me Donald or Chester since I had a limp and crutches from knee surgery to making me be the girls basketball statistician to keep me away from home in the evenings. Lots of students thought he was tough but he was always there for me. The rare hallway one armed hug to the gruff hop along Chester you'll be tardy. I remember he saw something in me I couldn't see at the time."

Glenn Fear wrote on Aug 4, 2017:

"It was my good fortune and pleasure to know and to have the opportunity to work with Paul. A good old boy that is for sure. So sorry that I will be unable to attend his service today as we have an appointment in Iowa City this morning. My condolences to all the family. Glenn"

Brett Eggert wrote on Aug 3, 2017:

"Coach Sesker arrived my senior year of track. The program was not very strong to say the least. In seven years Tipton went from the last place in the conference to a 3peat in the state meet. In every state championship the Tigers won, boys or girls, there were outstanding hurdlers scoring points. Coach Sesker was responsible for making great athletes and great citizens. It was a pleasure to have our lives paths cross. My thoughts, prayers, and heartfelt sympathies go out to the family."

Thea (Phelps) O'Grady wrote on Aug 3, 2017:

"My deepest sympathy to the families. I didn't realize Mr. Sesker had such a dry wit until years later. Once I had flubbed a pass in basketball and he wryly told me, "That's a bad place to catch a basketball--in your hands." "

Joyce Christianson wrote on Aug 2, 2017:

"Such good memories of Mr. Sesker. He was a positive, enthusiastic individual with a great sense of humor in all that he did."

Paula Thumm-Hilleman wrote on Aug 2, 2017:

"Brian, Craig, Aaron and families, My deepest sympathy for your loss. He will be missed by all of us that had opportunity to be taught, coached and mentored. We all have our favorite stories of Mr Sesker and there will never be another like him! His passion for the game was contagious."

Angelic Hightower wrote on Aug 2, 2017:

"So very sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful person."

Clyde and Sandra Vedane wrote on Aug 2, 2017:

"My favorite Paul Sesker story is one he always told about his coaching in Cylinder, when his junior high team was behind at half time by a lot. He was exhorting the team to play better, saying, "Guys, we need to get going! We're behind 18 to 2'". And a voice from the back piped up, "Yeah, nice shot, Timmy." Not much better than a Paul Sesker story. Unless it would be Paul Sesker himself. We loved him."

Judy (Barclay) Archer wrote on Aug 2, 2017:

"To Paul's family, I am so sorry to hear of his passing. Paul was a wonderful friend and awesome neighbor. He always had a smile and time to visit whenever we would meet. There were days that you could tell he didn't feel all that great, but he wanted to ask how members of my family were. This city not only lost a great teacher but a great mentor to so many. Hugs to you, Mary Jane, and all the kids."

Diana Andrade wrote on Aug 2, 2017:

"Paul was passionate about family, teaching, and sports. When I saw him he would always ask, "How's my favorite schoolmarm?" He was my father in law for over 20 years, and was wonderful with all of my children. Until we meet again, we will miss him. Prayers for all of his family."

Ken and Sylvia Gould wrote on Aug 2, 2017:

"Sorry for the typo!"

Ken and Sylvia Goulld and Family wrote on Aug 2, 2017:

"Our family is so sorry to hear of Paul's death. We appreciate all that Paul did for our family. He will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are for all of you."

JOHN JOHNSON wrote on Aug 2, 2017:

"Thoughts and prayers to the Paul Sesker family from John, Lois, Morgan, and Travis Johnson- Winthrop."