Jack Stessman

Joseph "Jack" Aloys Stessman was born September 16, 1931, to Leonard and Isabell (Assmann) Stessman near Earling, Iowa. Jack attended St. Joseph Catholic School in Earling graduating in 1949. He started farming with his father and his uncle. Jack married Kathryn Feser on September 7, 1953, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Dunlap. Jack proudly served his country in the U.S. Army for two years from 1953 to 1955. After his discharge, the couple farmed in Shelby County, east of Dunlap. He also worked at the Dunlap Livestock Auction.

Jack was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Earling. He was a fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, a member of the Earling American Legion, and served on the Shelby County ASCS Committee for nine years.

Jack died on Thursday, February 25, 2016, at the Dunlap Specialty Care Center at the age of 84 years, five months, and nine days.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Ray and Vern Stessman. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Stessman of Dunlap, Iowa; seven children, Larry Stessman of Corpus Christi, Texas, Bill Stessman of Earling, Iowa, Jerry Stessman of Sanborn, Iowa, Bob (Lois) Stessman of Manning, Iowa, Susan (Marc) Chappell of Omaha, Nebraska, Kate (Keith) Kuhlman of Oto, Iowa and Joe (Jane) Stessman of Omaha, Nebraska; 17 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; six brothers, Mark (Peggy) Stessman of Earling, Iowa, Msgr. Gerald Stessman of Des Moines, Iowa, Don (Joann) Stessman of Dunlap, Iowa, Leo (Mary) Stessman of Omaha, Nebraska, Ron Stessman of Omaha, Nebraska and Gail (Maureen) Stessman of Dunlap, Iowa; three sisters, Rita (Don) Wall of Omaha, Nebraska, Delores (Marvin) Klein of Dunlap, Iowa and Helen Reisz of Woodbine, Iowa; and many other relatives and friends.