Patrick Henry Jesse's Obituary
Patrick H. Jesse was born to August and Jessie (Morman) Jesse in Duluth, Minnesota on August 6, 1943. In the early morning of January 1, 2024 at Joint base Lewis McCord, Patrick passed away at the age of 80 years old and entered into the presence of the Almighty God.
Although Patrick’s passing was unexpected, his family was right by his side as he took his last breath. Patrick graduated from Central High School in Duluth Minnesota. He immediately went on to serve in the United States Army. His career with US Army spanned 3 decades and he retired with honors as a decorated staff sergeant. He served in the C-60 infantry during the Vietnam War as a communications officer and excelled at his position. After he retired from the United States Army in February of 1987, he worked as a security officer for the port of Tacoma, until his retirement in the early 2000's.
Patrick was not only a Vietnam War veteran but was also a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Patrick met his wife Nanette on a blind date in 1968 that had been set up by someone in the family. After a very successful blind date, the two fell madly in love, often going on dates, writing each other letters and talking on the phone with one another for hours on end. On April 12, 1969 Patrick asked Nanette L. Mathisen to take his hand in marriage. They were married at Sacred Heart Church in Duluth, Minnesota. The couple went on to have two children, Susan (Jesse) Winkler and Michael Jesse. They were happily married for 54 years and devoted themselves to each other, steadfastly enduring each hardship that came across their path. The love they shared was unshakable and incomparable and as they grew old together, not even extended deployments or health complications would come between them. They weathered every storm together.
Patrick loved his family and always made sure that they had what they needed regardless of what it took to do so. Despite his grumpy exterior, he was well known for his large heart, often putting his family’s needs in front of his own. He also often played lighthearted pranks on his children, wife, and later his granddaughter. His selflessness and playful nature were just some of Patrick’s character that helped create many lifelong memories for all who knew and loved him. While Patrick was quite the family man, he had many hobbies as well. He loved leather working and leather stitching, movies (especially old Westerns), drawing, puzzles, tending to the outdoors, fishing and feeding his wild birds. He engaged with these hobbies whenever he had the opportunity, even sharing these hobbies with family. He always made sure he had plenty of time to create things for his beloved wife to enjoy. Patrick was a proud fan of the Seattle Mariners and in the Jesse home, Mariners’ game day was always quite the event even if he was not at the game with his family. Patrick easily could have been the Mariner’s number one fan.
Patrick was preceded in death by both his parents, August and Jessie; brother, (Eugene); sister, (Ida); and his sister-in-law, Terri Ristow and mother-in-law, Irene (Mathisen) Lueck.
Patrick is survived by his wife, Nanette Jesse of Puyallup; daughter, Susan Winkler and her husband David; son, Michael Jesse; granddaughter, Kaila Edwards; sister, Mary Gallati; brother-in-law, Dennis Ristow; as well as many nieces and nephews both near and far.
Services for Patrick Henry Jesse will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home in Lakewood, WA (Garden Chapel) on January 13, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. with reception immediately following.
~ ~ PATRICK HENRY JESSE ~ ~
Truly missed, never forgotten!
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