Terry Lessmeier
February 11, 1951 ~ March 18, 2021
Terry (Terrence) Lessmeier, 70, of Mount Vernon, passed away Thursday, March 18, 2021, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City. Memorial Mass: 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 2, 2021, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, by Reverend Andrew Awotwe-Mensah. Gathering of Family and Friends: 4-9 p.m. Friday at Maggie's Home. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon, is caring for Terry and his family.
Survivors include his children, Maggie (Nate) Willems of Mount Vernon and Michael Lessmeier (Nicole Welsh) of Washington D.C.; his grandchildren, whom he spoiled and loved with extraordinary devotion, Ava (12), Emery (11), and Marlie Jo Willems (8); siblings, Christine and Steven; and many extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Jo (Smith) in 2015, his father Harold Dean, mother Bonita and his siblings Russell and Gina.
Terrence Dean Lessmeier was born February 11, 1951, in Fort Dodge, to Harold and Bonita (Sutcliffe) Lessmeier. He was a proud alumnus of Fort Dodge Saint Edmond High School, graduating in 1969, alongside Mary Jo. Mary Jo and Terry married on August 21, 1971 at Corpus Christi in Fort Dodge. Terry earned his initial undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1973, and after a brief and quickly rejected stint at Iowa Law, he returned to Iowa to earn his teaching degree. He also earned his Master's degree, at the U of I in 1990. He began teaching at the Lincoln Community School District (now North Cedar) in 1976, and devoted his entire teaching, coaching and administrative career to the district, retiring to care for Mary Jo when her health declined.
For 44 wedded years, Terry and Mary Jo built a life together, full of friendship, mutual love and respect and this folded into a lively and loving extended family. Nothing was more important to Terry than honoring and leaning into authentic relationships, in his many roles as a husband, a father, an in-law, a teacher and a coach. When you were loved by Terry, it was notable, and often expressed with his unique humor paired with true loyalty. Terry enjoyed golfing, gardening, storytelling, and was a long-time member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Mount Vernon.
Memorials may be directed to the Victory for Terry fund at Bridge Bank in Mount Vernon.
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When Bub was born he got him a special teddy bear that we have always called Terr Bear. Something to hold onto now.
The memories are many ! Football, Teacher, and most of all Wrestling Coach. We cherish a ton of memories with many . The grind, desire, fight, love, and friendship went beyond the school, field or mat. We loved Coach, and we’re saddened to watch from the sidelines. He has been reunited with His lover. They, along with others that went before us are celebrating without pain. That is reserved for the ones left behind. He and Coach Stamp are surely critiquing the new playbook. Special love sent to the Children, and those spoiled ones. Godspeed Coach ! Thank You for the years ! Ben Griffith and Ron Kurth Families !
Will remember Terry in my prayers at Mass. Fr. Rich
Mr. Lessmeier was a great coach, teacher as well as a great friend of my Dad’s. In the 80’s prior to being my wrestling coach, Terry came with my Dad, Uncle Ray and I on a guys Canadian fishing trip. In addition to being my wrestling coach for 6 years, he also coached varsity football with my Dad starting in 1986. Right before his surgery in September, I was flipping thru some photo albums and messaged him a few good ones including he and Mary Jo playing cards one NYE. My heart goes out to his kids and grandkids. Peace be with you Mr. Lessmeier!
For making me laugh, for that witty humor, for Terry being a special human being. Gave me great memories.
Maggie and Michael and family. I was sadden to see that Terry passed on Thursday. Such a friendly man and caring man. I will miss him. Hugs to all of you and know you are in my prayers.
I first met Terry my freshman year in high school. Terry and I became good friends in high school. Terry was very smart, very good friend, tough as nails and was gentle and compassionate. What a great combination of attributes. In college, I loved talking with Terry about literature, poetry, boxing, wrestling and politics. Terry had a great sense of humor and had a great insight into the events swirling around us at that time. In reading Terry’s obituary, there is a reference to Terry’s brief experience with law school. I was in law school with Terry during his first year in law school and his exit from law school had nothing to do with ability or determination. Terry would have been a fierce, magnificent attorney Terry’s exit from law school was simply a recognition on his part of the gift he could give to young people he could encounter as a high school teacher and coach. Terry just followed his internal compass and decided to mentor high school students and athletes. What a great gift to the high school students and athletes he came in contact with. Terry and I spent many harrowing and outstandingly fun times canoeing white water rivers around the Midwest. Terry and I hiked the Wind River Mountains in thigh deep snow. Terry was always game for any adventure and his presence and humor, intelligence and insight into the events of the time added so much more to our trips. There was no one I would rather spend a night in the wilderness around a campfire with than Terry. Margie and I went on canoe and backpacking trips with Terry and Mary Jo and we have such great memories spending time with them. Terry and Mary Jo were such high quality people. I want to express my heartfelt condolences to Maggie and Michael. Your father was a superior human being and you should be so proud of him. I am so sorry for your loss. Joe Cahill
From living next to Terry and MaryJo in the late 70s when we first moved to Mt Vernon, to playing frisbee golf and poker with him we have nothing but great memories and love for Terry and family….God Bless. Jon and Peggy Barnes
I worked 8 years with Terry and being a wrestling coach and former AD we had a lot in common. I enjoyed getting to know him and we had a lot of great stories to share having both grown up in northwest Iowa and being the same age. I couldn’t say anything any better than the comments above other than to say he was a good friend and a caring teacher!
Maggie, I’m so sorry for your loss. It is very difficult to loose both parents so young. I remember your Mom and Dad with fondness. I can still see the cute smile on your Dad’s face, and I loved to embarrass him and watch his face turn red. He was a sweet guy and know will be missed. Hold his love and wonderful memories close to your heart. With sympathy, Annamae
Mr. Lessmeier was my teacher at North Cedar and I have such wonderful memories of him. Most notably, he treated us like grown ups and truly gave us a sense of what college would be like. I learned so much from him and greatly appreciated his humor, his humanity and his guidance. When it’s hard to imagine the world losing a teacher who I briefly knew in my teenage years, I can not imagine the hole his absence has left for his family. You are all in my thoughts and in my prayers. Tricia Howard Coobs
I worked with Terry at North Cedar for 8 years…… He was a very interesting person….. never a dull moment in the teacher’s lounge when he was present. He knew a lot about everything. I miss that time together at North Cedar.
Terry and I went to grade and high school together. And college, but we were not in contact then. I always liked his political posts on Facebook. My condolences to his family. Both Terry and Mary Jo left this world much to early.
Mr. Lessmeier was my favorite teacher in high school even though he taught my least favorite and worst subjects. He found a way to make things interesting. He truly taught us how to think and not what to think. He was constantly challenging us to make us better. I loved his creative writing class. The world lost someone special!