Harvey John Jesser

Harvey John Jesser was born July 5, 1926 to Philip and Christena (Jantz) Jesser on the family farm north of Pritchett. He was the fifth of eight children. Harvey graduated from Pritchett High School in 1944 and married his high school sweetheart, Cleta Hartley, that same year on December 14th. Early on Harvey worked as a ditch digger. Harvey and Cleta were blessed with their first son Larry in 1946. Two years later Harvey went into business with his brother-in-law Lyle Woodhouse operating the J&W service station in Pritchett. After the death of Harvey’s father, the couple moved to the family farm in 1950. They would start farming full time. Shortly thereafter, Tim (1952) and Keith (1953) were born. In 1963, Harvey and Cleta would have one more son Steven. They were heart broken when he died at a young age in 1979. After the death of their youngest son, they needed an outlet to deal with their grief so they picked up square dancing. For over twenty-five years, the couple could be found with the Prairie Twisters dancing every weekend. Harvey lost his wife in 1999 after fifty-five years of marriage. Harvey had said he could not bear the thought of leaving the family farm and he was lucky enough to be able to stay there until the day he died. Harvey attended the Pritchett Church of God where he served in many roles over the years. He was a past member of the ASCS board, Pritchett School Board, BOCES, Farm Bureau and had been a District 3 County Foreman. His hobbies included macramé, photography, and Baca County History. Harvey is survived by his sons Larry of Pueblo, Tim (Karolee) of Pritchett, Keith (Jan) of Pierce; grandchildren Raymond (Lena) of Yuma AZ, Daphne (Brian) of Pueblo, Tyson of Lakewood, Aaron (Denise) of Ulysses KS, Levi (Christina) of Robertsville MO, Jennifer of Robertsville MO; Sister Rose McClain of Rocky Ford; Brother-in-law Doyle Higgins of Pueblo and numerous great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Harvey was preceded in death by his wife Cleta, son Steven, grandson Ashley, parents Philip and Christena, siblings Clara Woodhouse, Edna Scott, Ruben Jesser, Alma Hutchison, Charlie Jesser and Dorothy Higgins; Daughter-in-laws Dixie and Dianne. Harvey passed away September 22, 2012 at the South East Colorado Hospital in Springfield at the age of 86. A Memorial Fund has been established at the Colorado East Bank and Trust with proceeds going to the South East Colorado Hospital.