Jerry Hassel
August 26, 2013
Jerry Homer Hassel died August 26, 2013, from the effects of a cerebral hemorrhage sustained August 15, 2013. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., with the Rosary recited at 7 p.m., Thursday, August 29, 2013, at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 30, 2013, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 15 Indianola Avenue. Cremation will follow the Mass, with inurnment planned for 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 3, 2013, at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.
Jerry was born September 11, 1941, in Winterset, Iowa, to Maurice “Shorty” and Ruth (Holmes) Hassel. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1960. Jerry served in the United States Coast Guard from 1960 to 1964. In 1967, he started work with what was then KDPS TV, which was originally housed in Technical High School. KDPS later became KDIN, Iowa Public Television. He worked as a video tape librarian, and developed a simple but effective tracking system for the video tapes that were duplicated by other stations nationally. He retired from IPTV in 2002.
He embraced the Catholic faith and was received into the church in 2001. After that, he was a part of the RCIA team for ten years. He was a member of the Father Romannelli Knights of Columbus Council 12482, a member of three CRHP formation teams and was an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. He was a member of the Bellizzi/McRae Post 659 American Legion, and was on the Bingo team for four years.
Survivors include his wife, DJ; stepsons, Eric Strahorn of Ft. Myers, Florida, and Matthew (Kay) Strahorn and their children, Logan and Adam, of Urbandale, Iowa; stepdaughter, Katie (Jef) Arndt and children, Joseph, Robert, and Hannah, and David Kenis and Zayn and Calyn Arndt, of Jamestown, South Carolina; brother, Larry of Des Moines; nephew, Kelly (Tracey) Hassel and their children, Wendy and Matthew; and niece, Kristi (Bobby) Shelburg Jr., all of Des Moines.
The family would like to thank the staff of Mercy Medical Center’s Neuro ICU and Robert Hirschl, MD, for their kind and compassionate care.
Memorial contributions may be directed to St. Anthony Catholic Church.
Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Andrea Corcoran
09/06/2013
Hi DJ, I just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you. With sympathy, Andrea
Deanna Lehl
08/31/2013
Condolence to DJ Hassel and family for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. An old friend. Deanna Lehl
Liz Tucci Calisesi
08/29/2013
DJ, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You and Jerry touched our parents lives with your Sunday blessings and communion. Mom and Dad appreciated your visits and I always enjoyed it when I could visit with you too. Jerry always had a comforting word and smile. With deepest sympathy,
Liz Tucci Calisesi, Fort Dodge,IA
Jomarie Tucci
08/29/2013
For many years Jerry and DJ delivered Holy Communion and prayed with both of my parents Lucllie & Joseph Tucci. DJ's voice was so calming and provided such comfort to my parents and our entire family. He was a kind and thoughtful man. My Deepest Sympathy to DJ and the entire Hassel Family. The Angels in Heaven have one of our best. God Speed Jerry!
Mary Bracken
08/29/2013
I worked with Jerry at IPTV from 1996 through his retirement. He was always so thorough in his work and calmly reassuring to everyone. When we have trouble locating a tape today, someone will still say all we need are "Jerry's cards".
I will never forget how he patiently waited to speak with me at my Mom's visitation at Dunn's before her funeral. Our meeting with the priest took a very long time and Jerry stayed and waited so that he could talk to me personally. He was a kind and thoughtful man. DJ and family, my condolences and prayers to you.
Deanna Lehl
08/28/2013
My condolences to you , DJ, and family. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
An old friend,
Deanna Lehl
Andy & DJ Johnston
08/28/2013
Our love and condolences to DJ and the family. It was a pleasure to know Jerry and include him in our group BFF's. (Best Friends Forever)
Nancy Ccrowfoot
08/28/2013
I worked with Jerry at IPTV. He remained calm every time I frantically ran into the Tape Library in a hurry to find footage I needed "immediately". He always seemed to know exactly where to look. I missed him when he retired and we will all miss him now.
Russell Beaman
08/28/2013
I had the pleasure of working with Jerry starting in 1960's until I retired in December 1992. He was a first class person and will be missed by all.
Dave Melone
08/28/2013
I worked with Jerry in the early days of Channel 11. Jerry deeply enjoyed his work and those he worked with.
Jeff Ames
08/28/2013
I had the pleasure of working with Jerry back at Tech High School in the KDIN days (70s), and in the 80s out on Bell Avenue as IPTV. He was a wonderful person and a hard worker. I think everyone who knew him will miss him.