Theodore "Ted" John Besch

December 5, 1937 - September 10, 2018

Theodore John Besch was born December 5, 1937 in Whittemore, Iowa, the son of Isadore Besch and Mary (Kissner) Besch.  He passed away on Monday evening, September 10, 2018 at Grundy County Memorial Hospital at 80 years of age.  Ted grew up a farm boy and graduated from West Bend High School in 1956.  On August 19, 1957 Ted married Mary Louise Wirtz in West Bend, Iowa.  From that union came four children - Ted Allen, Joan Marie, Steven Kent, and Keven James.  After high school, Ted attended Loras and Buena Vista colleges.  He starred in football and majored in education.  He was teacher and coach in the Grafton, St. Ansgar, Belmond, and Morman Trail schools.  During summers he attended NW Missouri State where he got his masters degree in guidance and counseling.  In that capacity, he worked at Schleswig and Pomeroy-Palmer.  He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Storm Lake, Iowa, and was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus.  Ted enjoyed attending the athletic events of his children and grandchildren.  His hobbies included fishing, hunting, golfing, and traveling to visit his children and friends. Those who will cherish his memory are Mary, his wife of 61 years, and his brother Bob (Ruby) Besch of Rodman, IA.  His surviving children are Ted (Lynn) Besch of Ijamsville, MD; Joan (Jim) Lenth of Fort Worth, TX; Steve (Deb) Besch of Omaha, NE; and Keven (Kate) Besch of Storm Lake, IA.  His grandchildren:  Tiffany (Dan) Noble, Ted (Somer) Besch, Alexandra Besch, Joey Beach, Charlee Beach, Sarah (Rob) Comer, Michael Lenth, John Lenth, Mary Kate Lenth, Jake Besch, Madison Besch, Nick Jones, K J Besch, Mary Jo (Marcus) Ocegueda, Toni Besch, Kylee Shannon and Kail Shannon.  His great grandchildren:  Michael Noble, Mathew Noble, Gabriella Noble, Teddy Besch, Payton Ocegueda, and Marcus Ocegueda.