John & Janet Essig

John was born on November 29, 1941, to John and Thresa Essig in Grundy County Iowa. His life was shaped by being raised on the family farm. At a young age John began helping with farm chores. Even as a baby he was carried along in a box on the tractor as his mother accomplished tasks around the farm. Jan was born in Webster City, Iowa to Lloyd and Margaret Evelyn (Phelan) Karr on October 25, 1942. She attended school in Webster City until the family moved in 1959 to Winter Park, Florida. Wherever she lived, Jan was always an enthusiastic member and leader of community organizations and activities.

Jan & John met while they were attending ISU, they were married on December 15, 1962, in Princeton, Missouri. As a young couple, they lived in Des Moines, Iowa and Los Angeles, California before returning to Webster City in 1977 to raise their daughters. John worked in the insurance business, and Jan had a 30-year career as a legal assistant.

After retirement, John and Jan enjoyed traveling. They followed the Lewis and Clark Trail enroute to Alaska, celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on a Caribbean cruise, and traveled to beautiful Ireland. John also traveled independently: twice in service with the Red Cross assisting victims of hurricanes, and multiple trips to Mexico building homes for locals in need of safe housing.

Their family includes John’s sister Roberta (Essig) Ford; daughters: Jill Ann (Brian) Raymer and their children Meredith, Joseph, Kelsey, and Brighid; Judith Susan (Keith) Easley and their children Abigail and Alexander; as well as many cherished nieces and nephews. They were preceded in death by their parents; Jan’s brother Richard Lloyd Karr; and John’s sister Emilie Mae Essig.