Leroy "Lee" W. Hesse

Lee’s memorial service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, February 25th at the First Lutheran Church, 309 E. 3rd St. N. in Newton.

The family will greet friends with a lunch at the church immediately following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lee’s memory can be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association or to First Lutheran Church, Newton, Iowa. Memorials may be left at the church on the morning of the service or they may be mailed to the Wallace Family Funeral Home, 1115 E. 19th St. N., Newton, IA 50208. Please put, Attn: Hesse Family on the envelope.

Lee was born and raised in Hartley, Iowa, the son of Will and Nina (Halverson) Hesse.  Lee and his family would spend their summer days at a small cabin nearby on Lake Okoboji where they learned to waterski and perform amazing tricks.  He was active in sports and music at Hartley High School graduating in 1954, he attended the University of Minnesota, graduating in 1958 with a degree in business.  During college, he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, ran track, and played in the marching band.  Following graduation, Lee joined JC Penney Company in Minneapolis, and within a few years had transferred with Penney’s in Rochester, Minnesota.  

Lee met his wife, Kay, in Rochester where she worked for the Mayo Clinic.  After dating for a short time, Lee proposed a few times before finally getting a ‘yes!’.  They were married in Rochester in 1962.  Lee’s ambition was to own his own clothing store, and in 1964 Lee and Kay moved to Newton, Iowa, where they purchased a store that became “Hesse’s Mens Wear”.  As the store became established, Lee and Kay expanded by opening additional stores in Grinnell and Oskaloosa, as well as a summer resort wear shop called “Expressions” in the Central Emporium on Lake Okoboji.  Always one to try a new concept that interested him, Lee also opened “Expressions Resort Footwear”, and a coffee shop “Java Boji”, while Kay focused on her “Kay’s Beach Boutique” swimwear shop which has been in operation since 1979.

Lee and Kay were busy parents and business owners, supporting their sons in school and their activities, and serving in the community.  They have been members of First Lutheran Church since moving to Newton.  An avid golfer, Lee could be found on most Wednesday afternoons in the summer at the Newton Country Club enjoying golf and playing cards with his friends.  Lee loved the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Vikings.

Lee enjoyed nothing more than spending time with his growing family and their friends at Lake Okoboji and serving a big turkey prepared on the Weber grill.  He mastered this preparation through methods such as stuffing the bird with ice, and measuring the cooking time to a precise number of his favorite libations.

In later years as his health declined, Lee was cared for by Kay at home throughout his illness.  Kay and the family are grateful to Lee’s doctors and caregivers who provided support.

Lee died Monday, January 30, 2017 at home in Newton following a long illness, he was 82.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Jo Ann Thomas.

He leaves his wife of 54 years, Kay (Lamberson) Hesse; his son Jeff (Julie) of Chicago, IL; his son Brad of Ankeny, IA; his six grandchildren: Allison, Ashley, Trent, Genevieve, Beatrice and Timothy; and his great-grandchild Paisley; his brothers Jim (Helen) and Bill Jr.; brother-in-law, Phil Thomas; his nieces Jean, Carol and Cindy; his nephews Brett, Matt, Chase and Ryan.  

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