Rodriguez, Jesse J. 1943-2019

RODRIGUEZ, MANNING, BAYSE, DUNN, JOY, BURGART, EDDY, LINGENFELTER, BACKSTROM, KANNENBERG, BOGART, JOGGERST, ETTEN, PUENTE

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:38

Jesse J. Rodriguez
1943 - 2019

Des Moines - Jesse J. Rodriguez, son of Connie Manning and Frank Rodriguez was born on March 16th, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Newton High School in Newton, IA where he was a great athlete who excelled at wrestling. He placed 3rd in state his senior year, but if you were to ask him about it, he would be certain to let you know he beat the number one wrestler during the regular season. Jesse proudly served as a Marine in Vietnam in 1968 and was awarded the Purple Heart. Later he married Ruth Bayse and had 3 children, Robert, Rory, and Rebecca.

He retired from the Department of Veterans Affairs as a police officer after 26 years of service. Jesse was a proud veteran who loved his country and was an active member in both the American Legion and Emrick - Williams VFW Post 8879. He will be remembered as a man who loved his country, Corps, cars, and grandchildren beyond measure.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Iowa Veterans Home. Each and every one of you gave him the best care possible. We will not forget all of your hard work, love and attention you gave to Jesse during his final years.

Jesse is survived by his brothers, Arthur (Joyce Dunn) Rodriguez, Jerry (Sue) Manning; his sisters, Betty (Ron) Joy, Bonnie Burgart, Donna Eddy (Lyle Lingenfelter); his three children, Robert (Laura) Bayse, Rory (Christina) Rodriguez, and Rebecca (Sam) Backstrom; his grandchildren: Abigayle Bayse, Amelia Rodriguez, and Ruth Rodriguez.

Jesse was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth Rodriguez, his father Frank Rodriguez, his mother Connie and step father Fred Manning, father in law Howard Bayse; his sisters, Marilyn Kannenberg, Carol Bogart; his brothers in law, James Bogart and Don Joggerst; Sisters in law Virginia Etten and Florence Rodriguez; and his nephew, Jake Manning.

Memorial services will be at 10:30 A.M. Saturday, January 19th, 2019, at the West Des Moines United Methodist Church, 720 Grand Ave, West Des Moines, Iowa, 50265. There will be a visitation from 9:30 A.M. until the time of the service at the church and a lunch to follow. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Iowa Veterans Home.

Although our hearts are heavy we find comfort that after 32 long years Jesse is finally reunited with his wife.

A special thanks to fellow Marine and niece Patricia Puente - he'll meet you in Cuba. ~ The Des Moines (IA) Register 17 Jan 2019.