Randy Jedele
Randy Jedele
died December 1, 2017 at Kavanagh House in Des Moines, from
complications of metastatic prostate cancer. He was 66 years old.
Randy was born Randall Eugene Jedele on August 13, 1951, to Gordon
Ralph Jedele and Darlene Joyce Jedele (née Clark) in Logan, Iowa. He
lived the majority of his life in Iowa but also resided for 13 years
in Kentucky, with the last 34 years spent in the Des Moines area. He
was the third of four sons from his parents’ marriage. Randy was
preceded in death by his parents; two of his brothers (Rodney Paul
Jedele and Richard Karl Jedele); and grandparents, aunts, uncles,
and other relatives.
After graduating from Iowa Falls High School in 1969, he attended
Wartburg College for two years. Following his time at Wartburg,
Randy moved to Kentucky where he attended Western Kentucky
University in Bowling Green and majored in English and education,
graduating in 1973 with a BA in Education. He received his MA from
Eastern Kentucky University in 1983 with emphasis in English
education. Randy also attended graduate school at Iowa State
University, receiving a PhD in 2007 with an emphasis in educational
leadership and policy studies. He moved to Des Moines in 1983 and
began working at Des Moines Area Community College in 1993 as an
instructor in English before his retirement in 2017. He was popular
with both his students and colleagues at DMACC. His academic career
was varied, and he taught a variety of courses, as well as
developing curriculum in many areas, including Holocaust literature.
One of his areas of specialization in education was the concept of
learning communities, the subject of his doctorate from Iowa State.
Randy had a strong work ethic and always had one or two part-time
jobs in addition to his full-time position at DMACC. He worked as a
waiter for a number of years at 8th Street Bar and Grill, as well as
at a number of other Des Moines restaurants.
Randy’s church contributed many gifts to his life, perhaps the most
important one bringing many close friends into his life. He will be
greatly missed at Urbandale United Church of Christ where he served
his church in a number of capacities, including strengthening an
open and affirming atmosphere to gay and lesbian issues at the
church.
Randy had many pastimes and enjoyed a wide variety of activities.
His hobbies included traveling, cooking, gardening, needlepoint,
cross stitch, men’s sports at Iowa State and reading. His great love
of reading made him a member of several book clubs over the years
and later brought him a part-time job at Beaverdale Books. His love
of traveling carried him across this country and Europe, including
conducting tours and teaching abroad.
He is survived by his oldest brother, Robert Lewis Jedele; an aunt,
Roxana Duncan in Denison; an uncle, Charles Jedele in Winfield,
Kansas; and several nieces and nephews. Randy will also be missed by
his dog Baxter, a wonderful companion to Randy during the last years
of his life.
Randy had many friends from all areas of his life: from DMACC, from
his church, from his part-time jobs, from his neighborhood in
Beaverdale; and from the greater community. His many friends will
miss his sense of humor, smile, love, and friendship.
Randy and his friends would like to thank the many exceptional and
caring medical staff members he encountered during both his cancer
treatment and end of life: from Iowa Methodist Hospital; from Cancer
Center of Iowa, especially Dr. Steven Heddinger, MD and his staff;
from Unity Point Hospice, especially Debbie Slaikeu, RN and her
hospice team for services in his home; and from Kavanagh House
during his final days. These many medical professionals all
contributed to Randy’s comfort and quality of life as he fought his
cancer. Randy had a living memorial at his church to celebrate his
life on November 17, 2017, and he requested there be no visitation
or funeral. In lieu of flowers, Randy requested contributions be
given to the American Cancer Society or the Urbandale United Church
of Christ in his name. Memorial trees will also be planted on the
DMACC campus and on Urbandale Avenue in Randy’s name. Condolence
cards and letters may be sent to Wes Hunsberger, 1054 45th St., Des
Moines, IA 50311.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com.