David Lee Hessman (1936-2017)

HESSMAN KELLER, JACKSON, ADDENGAST, SMITH

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 4/17/2017 at 15:12:01

David Lee Hessman, the son of David & Elma (Keller) Hessman, was born August 22, 1936 on a farm near Eliza & Buffalo Prairie, II. Dave was raised on a farm in Mercer County, IL. He attended the first 8 years of his education at a country school and four years in Joy, IL, where he graduated from high school in 1954. Dave furthered his education for two years at Western Illinois University and finished his college education spending two years at Iowa State University.

Dave met his wife Arlene VerLee Jackson in Joy, IL and later was joined in Union with her on July 27, 1958 in Joy, IL. From this union, 2 sons were born, Scott & Jay Hessman. After their marriage, they lived in the communities of Ames, Muscatine and Ida Grove, before moving to Spencer, Iowa in 1979. Dave was Clay County Extension Education Director through Iowa State University for 12 years before retiring in 1991. He worked for the Extension for a total of 32 years. He owned Pro Crop Farm Management 1992-2012. He announced for all the 4-H and FFA beef shows at the Clay County Fair for 33 years. Dave was inducted into the 2008 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame on August 17, 2008 for showing outstanding service and dedication to Iowa's 4-H program throughout the years. Dave was also active coordinating the Branding Iron at the Clay County Fair. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Spencer. He loved the ISU Cyclones and has enjoyed and supported them for many years. Dave held basketball and football tickets for years. He was on the Spencer School Improvement Advisory Committee. Dave has been a long time Kiwanis member in Ida Grove and Spencer. He served as past Governor of Nebraska Iowa District and in 1991 was awarded the Jack Wedel Community Service Award.

Dave passed away at St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer on Saturday, April 15, 2017 at the age of 80. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Arlene and two sons: Scott and Jay Hessman.

He is survived by a daughter-in-law, Debra Hessman of Hartley, IA; 3 granddaughters: Jade, Shanti & Sara Addengast; one brother, Doug Hessman and his wife, Diane of Illinois City, IL; a special cousin, Virginia Smith of Clark, Missouri; other relatives and many friends.

INTERMENT Riverside Cemetery

From Warner Funeral Home