My love, you left us one year ago. Our home is empty. The dog watches for you. The grandchildren ask about you. Your two children have needed you  so much.  I have a horrid pit in my stomach. I’m trying to move on but I don’t know where I am headed. Your death was a horrid, wicked, tragic death. You were plucked from our lives with no notice. We could not say goodbye.  It is very sad that there was no justice served for this. Our hearts are broken. I know God took your hand and brought you home. Make room for us Dad. I love you. 

Erich and I woke up this morning with you on our mind. I hope your adventures in heaven have been wonderful so far. We think of you daily and miss you so very much! Aunt Carol is missing you very badly and we continue to surround her with our love and support. Merry Christmas in heaven Uncle John, you have the best view! 

John and I became friends in grade school and as time went on he became my best friend. We went all the way to our senior year together. John was special - super smart, he was soft spoken but his presence was always known and appreciated. There are tons of stories of our times together, be it in the church choir or pushing our way through a storm drain pipe on carts. Down the road he met Carol and things just got better, truly a life fulfilling union. The fortunate people that knew John will be forever blessed, and I will miss him and his friendship to the end .

I met John in college. I loved him so much. I am missing him badly. We shared almost 48 years together. He loved to travel and we did many adventures together. He loved his Son And Daughter very much but his grand children were his joy. John was a born again Christian and a very Godly man. Polle vaylt with the angels. You will forever be missed my love.

I remember the time I throw a fight in the back of the car on the way to Boston and he had to pull over and he had to "Beat a child" that's what he said to my parents because they lost him. He was the best grandfather on the planet he taught me to be a great goalie and how to stand and how to dive. We didn't have a lot in common but we both shared a lot about soccer and unfortunately, my family is across the country and so we did not have a lot of time together. The last time I spoke to him was on the phone and I also brought home my cello and I played for him and you could just hear the excitement in his voice. He was a very quiet person but when he did speak it was important and he would stop in between because he was always interrupted. In my house, we called him Bop, not grandpa Bop and I know what you think who comes up Bop and I think Layla (my cousin) came up with it.  I just wanted to say that I miss him a lot and we all do.
I love you bop.

Thanks for your work in the running community, for shaking my hand and  saying hello every time we met, for clearing the bar in pole vaulting, and for being a friend to all. A good man is going to be missed.

We are very sorry about the loss of John.

I live across the street from John and Carol.  One of my favorite memories of John is whenever it hailed- or a sudden thunderstorm struck, both John and I went to our respective storm doors and watched the whole thing unfold.  And we would wave at each other. Every time.  I will miss my storm waving buddy...

I met John through his wife Carol.  He was always there to go that extra mile to help Carol’s friends, “The 6-Pack”.  John will be greatly missed by his wonderful family, friends and all the people his life touched.  If you just met John once you were his friend.  He was always helping someone.....his family, friends and neighbors.   John you will be missed by all who knew you.  
Rest In Peace 

I had the pleasure of going g to the Nebraska state games where my Uncle John won the gold medal in pole vaulting.  It was a great day!  I was so proud of him!   You will be missed!

Two of the most amazing people I have met in a very long time! 

Showing Heather a masterpiece in it's final stages.  It's as much a description of him as it is the canoe.

What a privilege it was to call John Jesmer family.  Having married into the family, I only knew Uncle John for 28 years.  Over the years I spent more time with Uncle John and Aunt Carol than much of my other extended family.  John always made me feel welcome, special, and part of the family.  He genuinely cared about others and it always showed.  We shared a quirky sense of humor and many conversations after holiday meals in Colorado Springs and Denver.  

And I lived vicariously through Uncle John's adventures in the wilderness and in athletics.  If he wasn't handcrafting a canoe, hunting wild game by himself, teaching me and group of college students from our Wausau church how to set up camp in the mountains, or pole vaulting in the Senior Games at St. Thomas in 2015, he was on some other adventure that made me wish I could join him.  

Uncle John, thank you for your kind and gentle ways.  For your example of being faithful to Carol all of these years.  For pouring yourself into your family, and for making "big family time" more joyful and fun.  You are and will always be missed and loved.

I had the wonderful pleasure of meeting Uncle John & Aunt Carol, through my marriage to their Nephew, Erich Lane Krueger. I remember the first time they came to our home to visit us just a couple of years ago, they stayed for a few days and Uncle John was going to Lincoln to pole Vault in the senior games, Erich accompanied him, what a great memory for my husband.  Uncle John had so many amazing qualities and I quickly realized this even in the short time I knew him. 

I’m eternally grateful he was such a big part of my recent Wedding & marriage to Erich. He was extremely important to my husband and I’ll never forget when Erich asked him to be a groomsman, an unforgettable moment shared between those two guys! We are broken hearted to say the least, however so glad to have the memories we have in our hearts. We love you Uncle John, Rest in eternal peace. 

My dad taught me how to ride my bike. He taught me how to be respectful of others. My dad taught me that sometimes the best thing to do is listen and pause before saying anything. I remember hiding under his giant coat when I was small. I remember when he would grow his beard out and then tickle my neck with it. I remember when he'd shave it off and I didn't recognize him for a minute! I remember only seeing him cry twice in my life...one of those times was when he drove me to my first year of college in Indiana. My dad gave me away in my wedding, but he never really gave me away. He was always there to help me when I needed him. He ran the last five miles of the first marathon I ran and he got me through it. He guided me with gentle wisdom through the toughest times in my life and I will always remember his words. I love you, Dad, and will miss you every day until I see you again someday in Heaven.

He was a great man and a loving husband. I remember when he was working on his canoe. He had such great pride in building it. He was anxious to build a canoe and when it was finished it was a great work of art .  John. You will be missed by your family and friends. Just know that your influence on people in your life meant something. Godspeed to the pearly gates and it was good to know you. The Lord is with you. Your friend, Mike 

John visited me, a cousin, in Manheim Germany when he was a student 
and I was stationed there.
I shipped his bicycle home with my household goods. He and his dad then picked it up at my home in White Sands missile range.
He lived to see soccer become a regular sport in the USA.

OBITUARY

John Jesmer

March 7, 1949 – October 29, 2018

Memorial Gardens Funeral, Cremation & Cemetery

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