Jesse Peck

Jesse Michael Peck, 24, of Ankeny passed away May 31, 2020. A visitation will be held Saturday, June 6, 2020 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Ankeny Memorial Funeral Home (4208 N Ankeny Blvd). A Celebration of Life will be held at the Ankeny Band Shell (410 W 1st St.) on Monday, June 15, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. For the Celebration of Life Service, please bring a lawn chair or blanket with you to sit on. Jesse had the unique experience of being the New Year's Baby for the Des Moines Metro in 1996 where he made all the local news channels. He graduated from Ankeny Centennial High School in 2014 where he was proud to have been a Captain of the Jags golf team that won a State Championship his senior year season. Jesse was also honored to have been selected for the Homecoming King Court senior year. Jesse was THAT person who easily drew in friends with his kind and caring heart and fun personality. He went on to attend Iowa State University and double majored in Criminal Justice and Sociology. He graduated in 2017. He loved attending sporting events with his friends to cheer on the Cyclones. Since graduating college, he was employed by Strahan Construction where he handled final detailing on many custom home projects. His personality served him well in developing great relationships with coworkers and homeowners. Jesse enjoyed golfing, playing video games, working out, hanging out with his friends and brothers, and eating at his favorite restaurant, Cazador. He loved music and the opportunity to show off his signature dance moves. He lit up a room with his big smile, infectious personality, and nicknames for all his buddies (aka "Bubs"). In spite of Jesse's daily battle with mental illness, he managed to be a light to everyone around him. He chose to have "Child of God" tattooed on his wrist as a sign of the importance of his faith and advised all of us to "seek God in all you do." His family is heartbroken that he is no longer with us and Jesse will forever be loved and missed deeply. For encouragement to all that knew and loved Jesse, written in his own words…… "Please find peace that I am now at peace and suffering no longer." Jesse is survived by parents, Amy (Todd) Ellgren, and Robert (Janet) Peck; brothers, Connor Peck, Drake Ellgren, Kellen Peck; grandparents, Frank Clark, Adair & Ruth Countryman; aunts and uncles, Tanya (Brian) Anderson, Jeff Clark (Monica Cullen), Carol Clark, Linda (Tony) Alongi, Cindy (Reid) Strahan, Steve (Sue Ann) Peck , Anne (Jack) Shumate, Randy (Nan) Peck, Mary Kline, Alan (Patricia) Peck, Brian (Marie) Peck Amy (Greg) Lock, Elizabeth (Clarke) Crocker, Julie (Randy) Griffith, Linda (John) Rocha; and numerous cousins and friends. He is preceded in death by; grandparents, Dorothy Clark, Charlie & Evelyn Peck, Kenneth & Lorraine Ellgren and Uncle Scott Ellgren. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can go to NAMI-Iowa (National Alliance on Mental Illness), 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 229, Des Moines, Iowa 50310. Jesse's family would like to thank everyone for the tremendous outpouring of love, support, and encouragement through your thoughts and prayers. All of the sincere messages and pictures of Jesse has provided us much comfort during this difficult time and is greatly appreciated.