"Sheila and Family, I am so very sorry to hear about Jesse's passing. During our time working together, Jesse was an amazing colleague and even better friend. He was always finding a way to keep us all laughing making the field a better place to be. May you find solace in his warm memory."
In loving memory of
Jesse James Deardorff
May 13, 1978 - November 11, 2020
To view Jesse's Life Video, go to: https://vimeo.com/479117257
Jesse Deardorff, of New Melle, Missouri, died unexpectedly on November 11, 2020 at the age of 42 in Des Moines, Iowa.
Jesse was born on May 13, 1978 to Tom Deardorff and Julie Jensen Carroll. He graduated from Iowa State University in 2012 with a degree in Ag Studies and worked in the agriculture industry. On November 15, 2008, he married Sheilah Oltmans-Deardorff. They welcomed a daughter Claire in 2012 and a son Owen in 2014.
Jesse enjoyed time and activities with Claire and Owen, cooking, BBQing, fishing, shooting trap, pheasant hunting with his shorthair Hank, cheering for the Cyclones, and making friends and telling jokes along his life's journey through Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri. He learned all his bad jokes from his Gramps and passed his jokes, fun spirit, and love of Cyclones to his children Claire and Owen, and his nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.
Jesse is survived by Sheilah, Claire, and Owen in New Melle. He is survived by his parents, Tom and Kae of West Des Moines, IA and Julie and Jeff of Ames; his sister and brother-in-law, Krisanne and Mike Myers and nephews Luke, Brendan, Ryan, Joshua, and Aldaine of Cumming; sisters Dyana and Stayce of Des Moines; and his grandma, Millie Jensen of Desoto. He is preceded in death by his grandpa, John 'Gramps' Jensen, Harold and Marvel Deardorff and Marvin and Helen Weisz.
A small, private family funeral service is scheduled for November 14 at Grandon Funeral Home in Ames. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations given will be applied to Claire and Owen's college fund. The education fund account is Claire and Owen Deardorff @deardorff529 on Venmo.
Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
Tributes
"Sheila I was so saddened to hear about Jesse and am sorry for your loss. Thinking about you and your kids during this difficult time. "
"Sheila and family I am deeply sorry for your loss. My family is praying for your family."
"I am so sorry to hear about Jesse passing away. It is heartbreaking and I hope the family can heal in time. I will remember Jesse as being funny, energetic, and easy to get along with. So long old friend. "
"Sheilah, I am so sorry for your loss of Jesse. You always spoke so fondly of him and shared some good times when we worked together. I can only imagine how missed he is by you, the kids, his parents and siblings, your family, and all his friends. May you find comfort in the legacy he left with you all! Warmest condolences to you all. Jody Hayes"
"Sheilah, Claire, Owen and the entire family, Its hard to express what I remember working with Jesse at scheels, he was a liar.. he wasn't that good of walleye fisherman.. he was delusional ... the cyclones were NEVER going to win the national championship.. And only occasionally beat the hawks... and from what I recollect he was not that good of shot... but he made work bearable, made me laugh and smile every , Every time I was with him... at work or in the outdoors .. I will miss you dude !! James Boose "
"Dear Sheilah, Claire, Owen and the entire Deardorff, Jensen/Carroll, and Oltmans families: My sincerest sympathies to all of you at the passing of Jesse. We met during an Agroecology course some 10 years ago and managed to stay in touch off and on over the years. The agriculture and Oltmans connections were too strong not to. My heart aches for Jesse and each of you. I hope that all of the laughter, love, and happy memories can offer some comfort during this difficult time. My thoughts are with you. Condolences, Jill Sackett Eberhart"
"Dear Sheilah, my most sincere condolences for your loss. You and the kids are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong. Maria José Villalón"
"Dear Sheilah, my most sincere condolences for your loss. You and the kids are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong. Maria José Villalón"
"We are so sorry for your loss and share in your sorrow. Thoughts and Prayers, Doug and Kathy"
"I'm so sad to hear about Jesse's passing. We went to the same elementary school in Ames and spent a lot of time playing video games, and pranking the neighbors (one memorable time we were alone at his house, and the neighbor was so mad she camped outside the front door until Jesse's mom returned. I'll never forget *that* experience). Thoughts and prayers to his family, children, and all who were touched by his time here. Chris Grudzinski (Strasburg)"
"Sheilah- I?m so sorry for your loss. You and the kids are in the thoughts and prayers of so many people around the world. Wishing you comfort and laughter through the tears as you remember the all the best moments with Jesse. Sending all my love. -Ruth Wagner"
"I?m deeply saddened to hear this news. Thoughts and prayers with the family. No doubt a great one joined heaven. Jesse was a fun co-worker and I enjoyed staying in touch with him and talking hunting, Big 12 football and ag."
"Sheilah, I am deeply saddened to hear this news. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts in my prayers during this difficult time. Please do not hesitate to reach out, whatever you need, anytime. Best, Denise "
"I am incredibly saddened to hear the news. It's been years since Jesse and I saw one another, but sorting through the old pictures I still instantly heard his laugh. We all had a great time on that Canada fishing trip but it will only be one of many memories of Jesse that we will carry in our hearts. My deepest condolences to you all during this tragic and difficult time. We will be praying for comfort and healing."
"Just wanted to send my condolences to the family and very saddened to hear the news. Jesse was a fun co-worker and a very funny friend. He will truly be missed! Corey Nikkel "
"Just wanted to send my condolences to the family and very saddened to hear the news. Jesse was a fun co-worker and a very funny friend. He will truly be missed! Corey Nikkel "
"Dear Sheila, thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. My deepest condolences. Barbara Meisel"
"Deepest condolences to the entire family. You are all in our paryers. Merav Gleit"
"Tom and Kae, I am so saddened to about Jesse. Please know you and all your family are in my heart and prayers. Linda Malloy "
"So sorry to hear about Jesse he was so good hearted! He will be missed! I always look forward to seeing his kids at school I am a lunch lady at Claire and Owens school! So sorry for you loss! Sincerely Carole Mullins "
"Our deepest condolences to the entire family. May God comfort you and give you peace knowing that Jesse is in His loving arms now. We pray that Claire and Owen will always know how very much Jesse loved them. Our sadness is shared by so many of his friends. Jeff and Annie Schneider "
" Have not known Jesse that long but he was a very comedic funny prankster, played a joke on me with my work truck. Put a dead squirrel in my vice on my rear bumper but then I paid him back by putting a large plastic zip tie on his driveshaft and made lots of noise when he drove his truck we have been good friends ever since, I will miss him "
"Tom and Kae, Saddened to hear of Jesse's passing. May the Lord comfort you as you go through this valley. You are in my prayers. Tim Meline"
"Prayers for Claire and Owen who lost their loving Dad. ?"
"Rest in peace, Jesse. We feel privileged to have known you and enjoyed having uou visit our home in NW Iowa to pheasant hunt with Ryan. Gary and Annette Devereaux "
"My deepest condolences to my good friends Tom & Kae Deardorff and their family, along with Jesse's immediate family, his Mom & Step Dad and their family. I've been praying for Jesse for some time now along with our Men Inspired group at Lutheran Church of HOPE, which Tom is an integral part of. I'm saddened, but at the same time rejoicing for the life Jesse had, despite his hardships, and O know that Jesse is no longer in pain and with his Lord & Savior. RIP Jesse. "
"You are in our thoughts & prayers. Our heart is with you and with your family. With my deepest sympathy, Anne Décor "
"My God wrap his arms around your family during this most difficult time and bring peace to your hearts and souls"
"My deepest condolences to you all during this tragic time. Sending prayers for peace and comfort. Jen Petersen "
"We have you all in our thoughts and prayers. Our deepest condolences for your family. Warm hugs, Boris Coto "
"You all are in our prayers and thoughts during this difficult times. Deeply sorry for the loss."
"Praying for peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Amanda Baker"
"Praying for the entire family for peace, comfort and love. Jesse was a wonderful man with a beautiful smile. We are sending love and warm hugs. The Heggen Family "
"Praying for peace and comfort for your family. So very sorry for your loss.
Tiffany Stephans "
"You have an angel in heaven watching over you.
With deepest condolence,
Silvia Cerezo and whole family in Germany and Spain"