Jesse Gardner

Jesse A. Gardner, 52, a lifelong resident of LeClaire, passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family.

A celebration of Jesse’s life will be held at 2pm on Saturday, July 5, 2025, at the Mississippi River Distilling Company Celebration Center, 229 N. Cody Road, LeClaire, Iowa. The celebration will start with a prayer and a time of sharing that all are welcome to be a part of. Followed by a celebration of life until 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to the family. There will be a private family burial in Jack’s Cemetery, LeClaire.

Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Jesse was born on September 16, 1972, in Davenport. He was the son of Joyce R. Harris (Wallace) and Daniel C. Beckmann. He was a graduate of Pleasant Valley High School. He spent the last 30 years with the love of his life, Amy Behnke, and together they raised four beautiful daughters. Jesse worked as a CNC operator, an auto mechanic, but his favorite job was driving for Summit. He also enjoyed working as a DJ for weddings, birthdays, and other events, usually for dirt cheap or cold beer.

Jesse loved playing in pool leagues, and tinkering in his garage; but above all, Jesse loved cruising anywhere and everywhere on his Harley. Jesse’s greatest pride was being a Papa. He found pure joy in his grandchildren and cherished every second he spent with them. He also enjoyed cheering for the Hawkeyes, Cubs, and Buffalo Bills. Jesse was stubborn, witty, and always kept everyone laughing as the life of the party. His memory will live on in the laughter he inspired, the love he gave, and the lives he touched.

Those left to honor his memory include his love, Amy, LeClaire; children: Kenzi (Colten) Harrison, LeClaire, Germany Montag, Rock Island, Taylor (Jacob Park), Chippewa Falls, and Maddison (Devin Smith), LeClaire; grandchildren: Ada, Isla, Mia, Karter “Bubba J.”, Evvy, Henry, and Jack; mother and stepfather, Joyce and Randy Harris, LeClaire; brother, Scott (Lindsay) Gardner, LeClaire and his nephew and nieces: Ty, Lola, and Lucy Gardner; aunts: Kathleen Wallace, California and Debbie, Texas; uncles: Tim Wallace, LeClaire and Donald Wallace, Bettendorf; father and stepmother in law, Bob and LeeAnn Behnke, Dubuque; mother in law, Jamie Bruner, Kentucky and sister in law, Melissa Behnke, Indiana.

He was preceded in death by his father, Daniel Beckmann.