DeWayne L. Tesdall

DeWayne (Wayne) Tesdall, age 94, passed away in Ames on March 25th, 2023. He was born July 21, 1928, in Story City, Iowa, to Lawrence and Gladys (Johnson) Tesdall. He married Debra Anderson of Boone, IA, on July 29, 1949. They were inseparable for over 50 years, enjoying each other’s company and traveling wherever the road led them. They raised five children together. They were owners of Ames Electric Contractors Inc., working with many local home builders, owners of Car Wash Park on East Lincoln Way, and many other commercial properties in Ames. He served three years in the U.S. Army in the communications field. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to many inventions, including the Thumbdinger kite winder.

When he was a young boy, he sold the Des Moines afternoon paper on the corners of Main Street in Ames. The paper was known as the Des Moines Final Paper; it was darker in color then. He enjoyed hunting and fishing trips with his four sons, music, especially piano, family gatherings, evenings out dining, horse races, and traveling in the winter months. He was a member of the American Legion and the Elks Club. Always well-dressed, well-spoken, and a gracious host, DeWayne could entertain any crowd with his tall tales, terrible jokes, sultry jazz piano, and even card tricks.

DeWayne was preceded in death by his wife, Debra; sons, Ron Tesdall and Colin Tesdall; daughter, Valerie McClimon; parents, Lawrence and Gladys and sister, Winona Moe. He is survived by a son, Doran (Renee’) Tesdall of Ames, Iowa; son, Joel (Linda) Tesdall of Boone, Iowa; nine grandchildren; Ryan Tesdall and Erik Tesdall, Dawn Hemesath, Brandon McClimon and Dustin McClimon, Genna Tesdall and Brooke Tesdall, Laela Tesdall and Natalie Tesdall and eleven great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. with services at 12 p.m. on Monday, April 3rd, at Stevens Memorial Chapel in Ames. Burial with military honors will follow at Ames Municipal Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be directed towards the Iowa Chapter of the American Cancer Society in DeWayne’s name.

Online condolences and thoughtful memories may be shared on DeWayne’s page at www.stevensmemorialchapel.com