Obituary of Tom Jessen

The Lord blessed Raymond and Marjorie Jessen with Tom on July 16, 1941. He grew up in Fort Dodge, IA, and was active in the band, playing the trombone. Following his graduation, he enrolled at Drake University to study music. A year into college, he ran out of money and returned home to work at the Hormel plant. It was during this time that he realized he wanted to go back to school. A year later, he transferred to the University of Iowa and began pursuing a career as a physician.

He always said that behind a good man was a great woman, and he married his great woman, Marilyn Pulis, on August 16, 1964. In August 2024, they became one of the small percentage of couples to celebrate 60 years of marriage.

Tom was a well-loved family physician who made house calls when needed. He was a pioneer on the football field as one of the first on-field physicians in the state of Iowa, developing a program that has grown to include trainers and physical therapists.

Throughout his career, he received many accolades, but he was most proud of the family he and Marilyn created. He spent hundreds of hours playing catch and fishing with his son, Blake, and rode his bike over 19,000 miles with his daughter, Kris. Once he had grandchildren, he made time to see them regularly and traveled to many of their school events. He had a small but mighty family.

Tom was an intellect who immersed himself in whatever his current interest was – playing the piano, speaking Dutch, repairing bikes, swimming, singing in musicals at the community theater – and the list goes on. The one interest he continued to develop was studying the Bible. Tom’s faith grew and guided him and his family through difficult times. The race is over, and he won!

Tom is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marilyn (Pulis) Jessen; daughter, Kristin (Jeff) Collum of West Des Moines, IA; son, Blake (Julie) Jessen of Elkhorn, NE; twin granddaughters, Layne and Ryleigh Collum; grandsons, 2nd Lieutenant John Jessen and Luke Jessen; and granddaughter, Kate Jessen.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 29^th, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. A memorial service will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 30^th, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Newton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church, MercyOne Newton, Newton YMCA, HA Lynn Stadium, or the family’s choice.