Randall Essing

Randall Essing

Iowa City

Randall Essing, 68, passed away Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, at Hallmark Care Center in Mount Vernon.

A Masonic service followed by an Eastern Star service will be held on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 4 p.m. at the Iowa City Masonic Temple, 312 East College St., Iowa City. (Parking is available at nearby parking ramps at no charge on Sundays.) Visitation will be held prior to the service from 2 to 4 p.m.

Randy was born March 27, 1954, to Darwin and Patricia (Svejda) Essing of Pomeroy, Iowa. Darwin passed away in 1960, losing his battle with Hodgkin’s disease. In 1962, his mother married Donald Ehler and moved to the Ehler family farm near Early. Randy graduated from Crestland Community High School, attended Buena Vista College, and in 1976, he married Danelle Scott of Early.

Having graduated from The University of Iowa with a BA in History and an MA in Library and Information Science, Randy worked in the reference and interlibrary loan departments at The University of Iowa Main Library until his retirement. He was active in both the local Masonic Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star, making many life-long friendships.

A big sports fan, Randy’s remote control was stuck on ESPN and he followed baseball, basketball and football—especially with the Iowa Hawkeyes. Collecting Sherlock Holmes-related books was a passion, and he was proud to be a member of the “Younger Stamfords,” a local Sherlock Holmes club. He was a first-rate self-proclaimed procrastinator in all things, saying he didn’t want to make any rash decisions.

Survivors include his wife, Danelle, and his mother, Patricia Ehler of Early; his brothers, Jeff (LuAnn) Essing, Spencer, Iowa, Keith Ehler, Early, and Tim (Jalonna) Ehler, Early, sister, Stacey (Mike) Kennedy of Wheat Ridge, Colo.; brother-in-law, Dale (Angie Kroll) Scott of Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, sister-in-law, Diane (Randy) Bandow of Cumming, Ga.; nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and extended family members and friends.

Preceing him in death, along with his father Darwin, stepfather Don and parents-in-law Frank and Ruth Ann Scott, were two nieces, Jennifer and Kelly Bandow; and several well-loved aunts and uncles.

Randy’s family extends their sincere appreciation to the staff of Hallmark Care Center for the kind and compassionate care given to Randy in his time there; also to Dr. Richard Larew and the wonderful staff of Larew Internal Medicine for their excellent care of Randy over the years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Iowa City Masonic Foundation, 312 E College St. #300, Iowa City, IA 52240 or to the Eastern Star Foundation of Iowa, P.O. Box 231, Columbus Junction, IA 52738, Iowa Public Radio or Iowa Public Television.

Condolences can be shared at gayandciha.com.