John Essig

John Woodside Essig, 81, of Ames, Iowa passed away on Sunday November 12, 2023. Services will be on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church at 11:00 AM. The family has chosen Boman Funeral Home (www.bomanfh.com) to care for their needs.

John was born on November 29, 1941, to John and Thresa Essig in Grundy County Iowa. His life was shaped by being raised on the family farm. At a young age John began helping with farm chores. Even as a baby he was carried along in a box on the tractor as his mother accomplished tasks around the farm. Although he did not take up farming, it was a source of pride that the land has stayed in the family since 1874.

After graduation from Eldora High School John attended Iowa State University. While at ISU he met the love of his life, Janet Karr. The two married in 1962 in Princeton, Missouri. After graduating from ISU with a degree in English and Speech, John worked for Bankers Life in Des Moines for seven years. During that time John and Jan were blessed with two daughters, Jill Ann and Judith Susan. In 1969 the family moved to southern California as John pursued his career in Insurance Administration.

In 1977 John and Jan returned to Iowa to raise their daughters in Webster City. John purchased a local insurance agency and operated it for several years. He eventually sold the business to a competitor and accepted a position as manager of their subsidiary health insurance agency. John retired in 2003.

After retirement, John and Jan enjoyed traveling. They followed the Lewis and Clark Trail enroute to Alaska, celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on a Caribbean cruise, and traveled to beautiful Ireland. John also traveled independently: twice in service with the Red Cross assisting victims of hurricanes, and multiple trips to Mexico building homes for locals in need of safe housing.

John’s family includes his sister, Roberta (Essig) Ford; daughters Jill Ann (Brian) Raymer and their children Meredith, Joseph, Kelsey, and Brighid; Judith Susan (Keith) Easley and their children Abigail and Alexander; as well as many cherished nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his oldest sister Emilie Mae Essig, his parents, and his wife of 60 years, Janet Karr Essig.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Red Cross or Food at First in Ames, IA.