David Jessen

1950 - 2025

David Jessen
August 18, 1950 - September 14, 2025
The world grew quieter on September 14, 2025, with the death of David Michael Jessen.

Born in Centralia, WA, to Dale and Violet Jessen, David's childhood was filled with quintessential 1950's small town life - spending time on his grandparent's farm, swimming in the Newaukum River, and sharing his father's love of summer vacations. At 18, as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War, David moved to Honolulu to work for Goodwill Industries. During his twenties, David's wanderlust was insatiable; he spent months traveling through the US, Jamaica, Mexico, and Morocco, culminating in a year-long hitchhiking adventure throughout Europe on a shoestring budget, gathering experiences that would shape the rest of his life.

Between travels, David called San Francisco home, honing the construction skills that would later come to define him. At 30, David was hired to renovate a Queen Anne Victorian estate on Pepper Road in Petaluma. During this project, David discovered a goldmine of original materials from a sister house in the barn of a neighboring property. He built a beautiful belvedere in the rose gardens reusing the pieces of the sister house's porch. Under his handcrafted piece, he married Lois Hopkins in 1984. It still stands today, serving as the backdrop for many weddings, at what is now Garden Valley Ranch. During this renovation David fell in love with Sonoma County, where he spent the rest of his life.

With a passion for creation, and eye for detail, David founded Jessenbuilt Design and Build Services, channeling his creativity into a livelihood. Specializing in restoring and renovating older homes, he loved breathing life and beauty back into historic architecture. Though it was a business, David prioritized integrity and character of his finished work, often reminding others that they were stewards, not owners, of historic homes. His projects ranged from modest Craftsman bungalows to elegant Julia Morgan and Brainerd Jones homes. He researched and sourced authentic materials, and he felt most accomplished when his work blended seamlessly with the home's original architecture while serving the needs of modern living. His aesthetic sensibility extended beyond houses; he designed hardscapes and gardens to create outdoor spaces that matched the beauty of his remodeling work.

His respect for history was reflected in his community efforts - serving on the Santa Rosa Cultural Heritage Board, helping to establish the Ridgway Neighborhood Association, and securing its historic designation.

David's curiosity went beyond architecture. He was endlessly creative and eager to learn, gathering countless hobbies throughout his life. A self-taught gardener, photographer, painter, beekeeper, mushroom hunter, model rocketeer, winemaker and most recently, a budding bonsai enthusiast, he was driven to master anything that interested him. His private wine label, Ridgway Wines, earned multiple Harvest Fair awards, mirroring the care and craftsmanship he put into all he did.

Music was a constant in his life, from attending Beatles and Jimi Hendrix concerts in youth, to morning playlists in adulthood, to building his own speakers in retirement. Aside from opera (which he tolerated for his wife), his musical tastes spanned many genres. He was equally content pulling a vinyl from his collection to suit the mood of a dinner party, or simply listening to his private concert alone.

David was a legendary conversationalist, at times imparting sage wisdom or sharing playful musings, he could talk to anyone about anything. For those who were lucky enough to call him a friend, he could spend hours sharing stories about his travels, his art, his garden, or any other of the myriad things that excited him.

Although he specialized in restoring historic homes, David's self-proclaimed professional masterpiece was a Mexican Modern house in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. David always had a loving affinity for the warm beaches of Mexico, kindled through dozens of vacations, and considered himself fortunate to be given the opportunity to work on the design and oversee the construction of an oceanfront home in this unique style for his family. Tragically, David passed away during a morning swim in the Pacific Ocean near this house, ensuring a part of him would forever remain there.

Of all David's endeavors, he was most proud of his family. He always made time for vacations, reunions, late night talks, babysitting his grandchildren, and collaborating with family on various projects. He is survived by his wife, Lois Hopkins; daughter, Olivia Konecni (Shawn); son, Tyler (Rianne Diepstraten); grandsons, Matthew and Jackson Konecni; sisters, Julie Iverson (Dave) and Linda Roening (Michael); 22 brothers- and sisters-in-law; 26 nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins. We mourn the loss of our husband, father, grandfather, and friend, knowing we are better for having shared his spirit, strength, wisdom, and love. Services will be held privately.