TAMA-Jessup Lasley, 92, a resident of Sunny Hill Care Center in Tama, passed away Monday, March 21, 2011 at the care center. A Traditional Graveside Service will be held Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 2:00 PM at the Morgan Cemetery on the Meskwaki Settlement in rural Tama with Larry Lasley Sr. as speaker. A Traditional Wake was held Tuesday evening at the Eagle Clan Ceremonial Building in rural Tama.
Jessup was born September 29, 1918, in Tama County, Iowa, the son of Harvey Lasley and Ke-wa-nee Whitebreast.
He retired from the Milwaukee railroad. Jessup was a religious leader and champion fancy dancer. He loved all sports.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his first wife, Leila Buffalo Lasley; three children, Eloise Lasley, Violet Cleveland and Nadine Big Bear; two grandchildren, Leila Young Bear and Corina Minjares; three great-grandchildren; and seven siblings, Clifford, Victor, Vernon, Effy, Geraldine, Beulah and Gweneth Lasley.
Survivors include his wife, Bernadine Davenport Lasley of Tama; ten children, Carmen (Myron) Wanatee, Priscilla (Donald) Wanatee, Peggy (Joe) Wanatee, Patsy Lasley, Stella (Ray) Young Bear, Clark Lasley, Mark Lasley, Gordon (Kim) Lasley, Eloise (James) Ironshell and Darlene Snowball; fifty-two grandchildren; one hundred seven great-grandchildren; four siblings, Marie Davenport, Lynn Davenport, Rae Jean Lasley and Wanda Lasley; three step-children, Michael Davenport, Larry Yazzie and Arlan Whitebreast; many nephews, nieces and family.