Pastor Jesse L. Pollmann

Pastor Jesse L. Pollmann was greeted by his Savior and joyfully welcomed to his heavenly home on June 11, 2022. Jesse was born on January 11, 1931, to Harry and Ella (Schmutz) Pollman near California, Missouri. His father was a farmer, and there was every expectation that Jesse would follow in his footsteps. Jesse was even the president of the California High School Future Farmers of America! But the Lord had other ideas. After graduating from California High School in 1949, farming a bit, and playing the organ for Salem Church near his home, Jesse experienced a period he later called “divine discontentment.” This led him to seven years of study to become a minister to share the good news of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Jesse began a pre-seminary program at Central College (now Central Missouri State University). While a student, he married his high school sweetheart, Donna Simmons, just a week after she graduated from high school in 1952, and she supported him throughout his studies. After Central College he entered Eden Seminary in St. Louis.

Upon graduation in 1958, Pastor Pollmann received his first pastoral calling to Grace Church in Abilene, Kansas. That same year he and Donna welcomed their firstborn, Jena, followed by David in 1961. After a few years, Pastor Pollmann was called to St. John Church in Maeystown, Illinois, where he happily served the beautiful farming community until being called to Salvator UCC in north St. Louis city in 1968. In 1974, the Pollmann family left the city and returned to Illinois farming country to the town of Valmeyer where Jesse pastored St. John UCC. In Valmeyer, he and the family were near many old Maeystown friends and both Jena and David met their future spouses. In 1979, Jesse was called to be the Associate Pastor of Salem UCC in Florissant, Missouri. Finally, his work as a faithful minister of God’s Word culminated with his role as Senior Pastor of St. Paul’s Evangelical Church in Creve Coeur, Missouri, where he served from 1982 until his retirement in 1993. But retirement was not the end of his ministry. He served as a Visitation Pastor for Immanuel UCC in Ferguson, drove a school bus for Immanuel Lutheran School in Olivette, served as an Oasis volunteer, and was a volunteer chaplain for a hospice program. Very late in his life, while living at Cape Albeon, he often ministered to residents by assisting with chapel services and providing counseling. Over his many years as a Pastor, Jesse taught the Evangelical catechism to hundreds of Confirmands and prayed with countless sick and hurting individuals. He was truly gifted in comforting the bereaved. He provided counseling and lovely wedding ceremonies for many couples over the decades, and he was even able to celebrate 50th anniversaries with some of them!

Jesse was an avid gardener and was particularly proud of his beautiful flowers. He and Donna traveled the world over the decades, visiting all the continents and many of the countries on this earth. He refurbished antique parlor organs, and he and Donna collected beautiful antique furniture over the years, which he expertly refinished. He accomplished significant research on family genealogy. And Jesse dearly loved spending time with his grandsons who were blessed to have him close by during their growing up years.

In the over 60 years since his ordination, Pastor Pollmann never wavered from his calling to preach God’s Word faithfully, regardless of the pressures of a shifting cultural landscape moving away from Biblical truth. Until the day he entered his eternal home, he stood firmly on the solid rock of Jesus Christ and the hope of John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”

Pastor Pollmann was preceded in death by his dear wife Donna, his parents, and his brother and sister-in-law, Louis and Hulda Pollman. He is survived by his daughter Jena and son-in-law Mike Yarbrough; son David and daughter-in-law Susan Pollmann; five grandsons, Joshua (Laura) Yarbrough, Adam (Jessica) Yarbrough, Jonathan (Kathryn) Pollmann, Joseph (Amanda) Pollmann, and Daniel Pollmann; eight (with one more on the way) great-grandchildren: Ruth, Charlotte and Jacob Yarbrough, Abigail Yarbrough, Stephen, Eloise and Peter Pollmann, and Amelia Pollmann; his sister-in-law Rita Marcum; special friend Carol Wipke; nephews, nieces and the many dear friends and brothers and sisters in Christ he came to know over the decades.

The family is thankful for the excellent care Jesse received from Mercy Hospital during his final illness, for his wonderful friends at Cape Albeon, and his loving church family at St. Paul’s. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14, at Kriegshauser Mortuary-West Chapel. The Celebration of Life Service will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 15, at St. Paul’s followed by a committal service at the church cemetery. A lunch reception will follow at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in memory of Pastor Pollmann to St. Paul’s Church, the American Heart Association or ThriVe St. Louis are appreciated.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.kriegshausermortuary.com for the Pollmann family.