Joel Alan HESS

HESS, SMITH, HRUBES, JOHNSON, MAACH, PEARSON, FRIEDLEY, ROWLES, BORIC

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:56

June 16, 1955 ---- June 6, 2010

Joel Alan Hess, 54, of Des Moines passed away Sunday, June 6, 2010, due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Joel was born in Cedar Rapids, IA, and raised in Norwalk, IA. He attended Brown University and Iowa State University. After college Joel became reacquainted with a high school classmate, Lisa Smith, to whom he was very happily married for 28 years. He was fortunate enough to turn his hobby of woodworking into a career at August Home Publishing where he was an Associate Editor of their woodworking publications. Joel made the most of everyday and was determined to continue on despite having lost Lisa, the love of his life, to Lou Gehrig's Disease in June 2009. Joel appreciated the beauty in nature and life's simple moments. He found much solace in riding his motorcycles, woodworking, golfing and spending time with friends and family. Joel was a member of STAR Touring and Riding Organization and Mid-Iowa STAR 210. He touched many lives and was loved by many. He will be greatly missed.

Joel was preceded in death by his father Dan, father-in-law Mike Hrubes, mother-in-law Marilyn Hrubes and his wife, Lisa Hess. Joel is survived by his mother Pat Hess, brothers Denny Hess, Greg Hess, and Brent (Julie) Hess all of Norwalk, IA. His children Shannon Johnson of Phoenix, AZ, and Rachel Johnson of Eden Prairie, MN. He is also survived by his father-in-law Ellywn "Bus" Smith, sister-in-law Lizbeth (Denny) Maach, brother-in-law Timothy Smith and sister-in-law Melinda (Todd) Pearson. His nieces and nephews Tony (Amber) Friedley, Dustin (Jenny) Hess, Jacob Hess, Courtney Hess, Cody (Alana) Hess and Matthew Rowles. And his grandchildren Christopher Johnson and Donovan Boric.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Norwalk City State Bank FBO Joel A. Hess, The Valley Grove Preservation Society in Nerstrand, MN and The ALS Association. Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Westover Funeral Home, 6337 Hickman Rd. Des Moines. Services will be held on Sunday, June 13 at 2:30p.m. at Westover Funeral Home.

Des Moines Register -- Des Moines, Iowa
September 24, 2010

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[His wife, Lisa (Smith) Hess spent her early years in Eagle Grove, Iowa]