Landon Jeffrey Meece

Today It’s Quiet Uptown. Landon Jeffrey Meece, a husband, pug dad, sports fan, son, brother, co-worker and friend passed away peacefully on July 22, 2020 at the ripe age of 33, after an 18-month battle with brain cancer.

Landon was a stubborn, competitive overachiever. To some, these may seem like undesirable traits, but for Landon, these are what made him who he was. He gave 100% in everything in his life: in school, in work, and in love to his family. He was Never Satisfied with anything less.

Growing up, Landon was competitive with his brothers, Evan (32) and Trevor (27). As the first-born, Landon chose to Rise Up as the leader of the three. His love for sports began at a young age, especially for Minnesota sports: Twins, Vikings, Timberwolves, and Gophers. Born August 19, 1986, in Hutchinson, MN to Merle and Joan Meece, he was always a Minnesotan at heart.

Throughout high school and into college, Landon was Young, Scrappy and Hungry. He graduated from Perham High School in Perham, MN in 2005. His love for math and competitive spirit led him to receive his class’s top math student award. He attended The Carlson School of Management at the University of MN. Not satisfied with only one degree, he obtained Bachelor’s degrees in both Actuarial Science and Risk Management, with a Minor in Finance.

Landon moved to Bloomington, IL and started his career as an actuary at State Farm in 2009. He earned his actuarial FSA designation after passing a series of about 10 grueling exams. In true overachiever fashion, he Got The Job Done, passing all of them on the first attempt. Then, went along and got 2 more actuarial designations: CERA and MAAA. He still wasn’t finished. In 2018, Landon obtained his MBA from the University of Illinois. He never stopped learning, and by the end he had enough letters after his name to fill the whole alphabet.

He planned to achieve his first career goal and then focus on a relationship, and just as planned, he met his wife-to-be, Hannah Esker, in 2011 and was Not Throwing Away His Shot. They were married May 24, 2014. Landon was an incredible husband and dog dad to their pug, Archie. Landon and Hannah traveled, challenged each other, played tennis together and laughed often, and they had a tradition of eating pizza on Fridays and Indian on Sundays. One of his goals was to go to all four tennis Grand Slams, and he and Hannah made it to the US Open (New York), Wimbledon (London), and the French Open (Paris). They had plans to go to the Australian Open (Melbourne); Hannah still plans to go in his name. Landon also enjoyed romantic comedies and musicals, with some of his favorites being High School Musical and Hamilton.

Landon was diagnosed with brain cancer in January of 2019. Again, he overachieved by getting the deadliest form of brain cancer, Glioblastoma (GBM). Throughout three brain surgeries, chemo, radiation, immunotherapy, and more, he never stopped fighting. At the end, when his doctor said to expect 2 more hours, he fought for 12 more hours. Perhaps he did so to die on National GBM Awareness Day like the overachiever he was. Even in the final months, he was a model of strong will and determination and was always the warrior for his family. Landon’s legacy survives in the countless actuaries, tennis players, and friends he mentored, coached, and inspired.

Landon is survived by his loving wife, Hannah, beloved dog Archie, parents Merle and Joan Meece of Ottertail, MN, brothers Evan Meece of Underwood, MN and Trevor Meece of Battle Lake, MN, in-laws Louis and Darlene Esker of Effingham, IL, sister-in-law Heather Esker of Normal, IL, brother in-law Hayden (Liz Purcell) Esker of Springfield, IL, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by grandparents Henry and Myra Putzier and Wayne and Irma Meece, uncles William Putzier, Franklin, Donald, and Alan Meece, and aunt Kathy Putzier.

To quote Landon’s favorite song from the Hamilton musical, “There are moments that the words don’t reach, There is suffering too terrible to name… We push away what we can never understand, We push away the unimaginable.”

Memorial donations may be made to either of the following:

• Landon Meece Memorial Scholarship Fund

To support well-rounded high school seniors pursuing a career in a mathematics field.

Checks can be mailed to: 1234 Beacon Hill Ct, Normal, IL 61761

• American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA)

To advance the understanding and treatment of brain tumors with the goals of improving, extending and, ultimately, saving the lives of those impacted by a brain tumor diagnosis.

Donate online: www.abta.org