In the tight-knit streets of Dubuque, Iowa, some names just carry weight. They aren’t usually the names of politicians or big-city CEOs, but rather the people who kept the lights on—literally. Jesse Schiesl was one of those guys. If you live in the Tri-State area, you know that being a lineman isn't just a job; it’s a culture. It’s early mornings, dangerous heights, and a specific kind of grit that Jesse seemed to have in his DNA.
Honestly, when you look at the life of Jesse Schiesl, you’re looking at a classic Dubuque story. Born and raised in the "Masterpiece on the Mississippi," he didn't just inhabit the city; he was part of its machinery. He followed a path many in the Midwest recognize: learning a trade, joining a union, and building a family in the same zip code where he grew up. But there was more to him than just the tool belt.
Who Really Was Jesse Schiesl?
Jesse James Schiesl was a Dubuque native through and through. Born on November 11, 1985, to William and Patricia Schiesl, he grew up attending Eisenhower Elementary and eventually graduated from Hempstead High School in 2004. You’ve probably met a Jesse before—the kind of kid who spent his summers on a BMX bike and his winters snowboarding or snowmobiling.
He was a "king of fun," as many described him. But he was also deeply driven by legacy. He didn't just stumble into his career; he saw his father, Bill, and knew exactly what he wanted to be. In 2005, he graduated from Northwest Iowa Community College and officially stepped into the world of high-voltage lines.
For 18 years, Jesse was a fixture of IBEW Local 55. That’s a long time to spend climbing poles and working in buckets. He wasn’t just a local guy, though. His work took him across the country. He was the guy tethered to helicopters, working on massive power infrastructure, or heading into disaster zones to restore electricity to communities that had lost everything. It’s the kind of work that most people only see in movies, but for Jesse, it was just Tuesday.
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The Professional Life of a Dubuque Lineman
People often ask what it’s actually like to be a lineman in a place like Dubuque. It’s a mix of local maintenance and high-stakes emergency response. Jesse's career was defined by his skill as a craftsman. He wasn't just a guy with a pair of pliers; he was a specialist.
His time with IBEW Local 55 meant he was part of a brotherhood. In the union world, your reputation is everything. Jesse was known for his generosity—the guy who would lend a hand to a friend or a stranger without a second thought. He also spent time working at Jo-Carroll Energy, where he built a reputation for being reliable when the weather turned nasty and the grid went down.
Life Outside the Grid
If you saw Jesse Schiesl around Dubuque, he probably wasn't in his work gear. He was likely on the water. The Mississippi River is the lifeblood of Dubuque, and Jesse was a fixture there, captaining his boat and soaking up the sun.
In 2021, he married Brooke O'Malley, and they started their own family, welcoming their son, Landon William. To those close to him, Jesse wasn't just "the lineman"—he was a devoted father and a proud godfather. He had this specific social ritual: before heading out to an event, he’d always ask his friends, "Who’s all there?" It was a simple question, but it spoke to how much he valued the people around him.
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Recent News and Legacy in Dubuque
Sadly, the Dubuque community recently had to say goodbye to Jesse. He passed away on January 24, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He was only 39. It was a massive loss for the local community, especially for those in the trades and his fellow IBEW members.
His final moments were uniquely Jesse. Surrounded by family and friends, he "set sail on his final voyage" while listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s "Tuesday’s Gone." It’s a detail that perfectly captures the spirit of a man who loved the river and lived with a certain old-school soul.
The Jesse Schiesl Memorial Fund was established shortly after to support his family, showing just how much the community wanted to give back to a man who spent his life helping others.
Why Jesse Schiesl’s Story Matters
You might wonder why a local lineman’s story deserves an article. Basically, it's because guys like Jesse are the backbone of towns like Dubuque.
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In an era where everyone is trying to be an "influencer" or work remotely from a laptop, there’s something profoundly important about a person who masters a difficult, dangerous, and essential trade. Jesse Schiesl represented the "everyman" hero of Iowa—someone who worked hard, played hard on the river, and left a legacy through his craftsmanship and his family.
Actionable Takeaways from a Life Well-Lived
If there’s anything to learn from the life of Jesse Schiesl, it’s about the value of community and trade. Here is how you can honor that kind of legacy in your own life:
- Support Local Trade Unions: Organizations like IBEW Local 55 provide the training and support that keep our infrastructure running. Supporting union labor helps ensure workers have the safety and benefits they deserve.
- Invest in Relationships: Jesse’s "Who’s all there?" mentality is a reminder to prioritize the people in your circle.
- Give Back to Your Community: Whether it’s through a memorial fund or just helping a neighbor with a repair, the spirit of generosity is what keeps a city like Dubuque feeling like a home.
- Master a Craft: Whether you’re a lineman, a carpenter, or a teacher, take pride in the technical skills that make you indispensable to your community.
Jesse Schiesl left a mark on Dubuque that won't soon be erased. From the power lines he repaired to the ripples he left on the Mississippi, his story is a testament to the power of a life lived with purpose and a whole lot of heart.