Theodore Edward “Ted” Jeska
1955-12-18 2011-07-21After graduating from Ames High School in 1973, Ted worked at various jobs in Ames, including setting up mobile homes and as a chef at the Ramada Inn. Although not his career, he enjoyed cooking for family and friends throughout his life.
He then joined the United States Army, serving in Wiesbaden, Germany, where he kept his love of music, particularly the guitar, alive by forming a band with other servicemen that played in local bars.
After two tours, Ted spent a few years in Texas, working as a surveyor and gaining a deep Texas drawl that would stay with him for the rest of his life.
He later settled in Kentucky, first in Lexington, where he worked at a horse-racing facility. He appeared as himself (uncredited) in the 1995 made-for-TV movie “A Horse for Danny” starring Robert Urich and Leelee Sobieski. If you look carefully (it’s on Amazon Prime), you will see him in one scene walking a racehorse and in another riding a non-racing horse. He moved to Springfield and worked as a glazier at Ace and as a subcontractor. Ted picked up the bass guitar as well, doing session work with The Reed Brothers band. You can hear their music at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rStUQM9ewjU and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmYHClqHvkw&t=5s. Working with the band got Ted interested in video and he began doing digital video production projects for the band and others in the area.
Ted was born again (his words) in the ’90s, and his faith stayed with him until the end. He had a kind heart, which sometimes let him be too trusting, but he didn’t let the times he was used by others to embitter him.
After more than a decade apart, he was able to join his parents and sisters in Minnesota for his parents’ 50th-anniversary celebration in 2000. He enjoyed talking with his mom regularly by phone and stayed in touch with his sisters as well.
Ted was one of the first people I (Bob Dean) met when my family moved to Ames. He was a close neighbor and became a friend. Even as close as we were, Ted had challenges I wasn’t aware of. Today he might be diagnosed with ADHD or depression but wasn’t back then. That created other challenges, and I wish I could have been a better friend in junior high and high school, and stayed in closer touch afterward. I’ve learned much of Ted’s later story from his sister Cheryl (AHS Class of 1975).
Ted passed away on July 23, 2011, at his home in Springfield, Kentucky at age 55. Ted’s mom passed away on Jan. 5, 2013, and his sister Judith Ellen Grimes on April 3, 2020. Ted is survived by his father and sisters Cheryl and Meribeth Jeska.
Theodore Edward “Ted” Jeska was born on December 18th, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Dr. Edward L. and Elizabeth E. (Ahlgren) Jeska. His family moved to Ames, Iowa in August 1967. After graduating from Ames High School in 1973, Ted worked at various jobs in Ames, including setting up mobile homes and as a chef at the Ramada Inn. Although not his career, he enjoyed cooking for family and friends throughout his life. He then joined the United States Army, serving in Wiesbaden, Germany, where he kept his love of music, particularly the guitar, alive by forming a band with other servicemen that played in local bars. After two tours, Ted spent a few years in Texas, working as a surveyor and gaining a deep Texas drawl that would stay with him for the rest of his life. He later settled in Kentucky, first in Lexington, where he worked at a horse-racing facility. He appeared as himself (uncredited) in the 1995 made-for-TV movie “A Horse for Danny” starring Robert Urich and Leelee Sobieski. If you look carefully (it’s on Amazon Prime), you will see him in one scene walking a racehorse and in another riding a non-racing horse. He moved to Springfield and worked as a glazier at Ace and as a subcontractor. Ted picked up the bass guitar as well, doing session work with The Reed Brothers band. You can hear their music at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rStUQM9ewjU and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmYHClqHvkw&t=5s. Working with the band got Ted interested in video and he began doing digital video production projects for the band and others in the area. Ted was born again (his words) in the ’90s, and his faith stayed with him until the end. He had a kind heart, which sometimes let him be too trusting, but he didn’t let the times he was used by others to embitter him. After more than a decade apart, he was able to join his parents and sisters in Minnesota for his parents’ 50th-anniversary celebration in 2000. He enjoyed talking with his mom regularly by phone and stayed in touch with his sisters as well. Ted was one of the first people I (Bob Dean) met when my family moved to Ames. He was a close neighbor and became a friend. Even as close as we were, Ted had challenges I wasn’t aware of. Today he might be diagnosed with ADHD or depression but wasn’t back then. That created other challenges, and I wish I could have been a better friend in junior high and high school, and stayed in closer touch afterward. I’ve learned much of Ted’s later story from his sister Cheryl (AHS Class of 1975). Ted passed away on July 23, 2011, at his home in Springfield, Kentucky at age 55. Ted’s mom passed away on Jan. 5, 2013, and his sister Judith Ellen Grimes on April 3, 2020. Ted is survived by his father and sisters Cheryl and Meribeth Jeska.
tribute by Bob DeanI remember Bob and Ted being such good friends. I am so glad they had each others friendship. You both were always kind to me. Thank you.
tribute by Jane (Carlsen) Brandt