Jessie Esbeck

Jessie Lou (Sanders) Esbeck, a lifelong resident of Cass County, Iowa died on Friday, May 8, 2026. She passed away at the age of 98 at The Village in Indianola, Iowa.

Jessie was born on April 27, 1928, the daughter of Esla Otto and Anna (Needham) Sanders. She attended Jackson Elementary and Atlantic High School where she participated in various musical programs. Following her education, she worked at the Home Bakery and was caretaker of two preschoolers.

In the summer of 1942, Jessie was introduced to Lyle Esbeck and on Thanksgiving of 1943, Lyle asked her for their first date. Lyle and Jessie became engaged in 1945. Prior to their wedding, Jessie was baptized and confirmed and the couple was married on February 17, 1946 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.

Lyle and Jessie spent their first three and a half years of marriage on an 80-acre farm northeast of Atlantic. In November of 1949, the couple excitedly purchased Lyle’s parents’ farm. It was here that Jessie and Lyle fulfilled their dreams for 59 years, maintaining a successful business while raising their three daughters. Family was very important to Lyle and Jessie. They greatly enjoyed watching their children in activities and celebrating every occasion they could together.

In their farming years, Jessie worked hard alongside Lyle. They raised chickens and livestock and fed cattle for the Omaha market. Jessie was always a wonderful host for the individuals working alongside them on the farm. All were invited to share in a meal or afternoon coffee. Pies were Jessie’s specialty and no one could make a pie crust like her. Jessie also had a large garden and she enjoyed sharing the bounty, treating others to her raspberries, cherries, and strawberries.

Lyle and Jessie were active in the community. They were life-long Farm Bureau members and Jessie joined the Cloverleaf Club in March of 1946, remaining a member until the 2000’s when the club dissolved. Lyle and Jessie both greatly enjoyed music. Jessie had a beautiful singing voice and she and Lyle loved to dance, often going to square dancing events with close friends. The couple enjoyed traveling and took trips to Florida, California, Colorado, and Nevada over the years.

Jessie was an accomplished seamstress and created clothing for her girls as well as many treasures for their home. Jessie spent many hours crocheting afghan blankets and making large quilts for her family members. In her later years, Jessie used her sewing talents to quilt with the women at the First United Presbyterian Church in Atlantic.

On February 17, 1996, Lyle and Jessie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, surrounded by many friends and family. The couple retired from farming in 1998, but continued to live on the home place. When Lyle died on June 1, 2008, Jessie continued to live on the farm until July 2010 when she moved into Atlantic. In her later years, she became an avid reader and would frequent the local library. Into her late 80’s, Jessie continued to be an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, attending a variety of activities.

In August of 2022, Jessie moved in with her daughter Sue and son-in-law Mike for extra care. Jessie cherished the time she spent with them alongside her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, reading countless children’s stories, helping complete puzzles, playing “keepy-uppy” with balloons, and cuddling while watching shows.

Jessie lived with them until May of 2025, when she moved to The Village in Indianola. Here she remained active until the end of her life, attending fitness classes and playing bingo with her friends. She enjoyed doing puzzles, word finds, and coloring.

Jessie is remembered for her kindness and compassion, for her humbleness and faith. Jessie was easy to love. She lived a beautiful and full life and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. The farm that Jessie and Lyle invested their lives into became a “Century Farm” in March of 2020, a source of pride for the entire family.

Jessie is survived by two daughters, Lana (Delbert) Westphalen of Atlantic and Tricia (Dan) Steen of Garretson, SD; son-in-law, Mike Volk of Indianola, IA; six grandchildren, Matthew Westphalen, Sarah (Davin) Alto, Andrew (Kristen) Steen, Mark (Amity) Westphalen, Jessica (Heather) Volk, and Jason (Bethany) Volk; and eleven great grandchildren, Zechariah, Norah, Beck, Ellery, Amelia, Theo, Hadley, Oliver, Bennett, Sullivan, and a great-granddaughter on the way.

Jessie is preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Anna Sanders; husband, Lyle Esbeck; daughter, Sue Volk; twin grandsons, Jason and Jeffery Westphalen; eight half-sisters and three half-brothers; father and mother-in-law, Andrew and Katherine Esbeck; and brothers and sisters-in-law.

Visitation with family present will begin at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, followed by a funeral service at 10:30 a.m., with Pastor Lauri Boysen of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church officiating. The family welcomes everyone in attendance to join them for a light lunch immediately following the funeral service, where immediate family will share memories and others are welcome to share theirs as well. Burial will follow at the Atlantic Cemetery.

Memorials may be left to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic and the Atlantic Public Library.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Jessie’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.