Jesse Lee Watters

Jesse L. Watters, 41, of Swaledale, died on May 26, 2023, at the MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Open Bible Church, 509 S 17th St, Clear Lake, with Pastor Will Hunsaker officiating. The funeral service will be livestreamed on the Major Erickson Funeral Home Facebook page. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 2, 2023, at the Open Bible Church. Following the visitation, the family invites those with memories of Jesse to stay for a time of sharing. Interment will be held in the Pleasant Valley Township Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family of Jesse Watters.

Jesse Lee Watters was born on July 21, 1981, in Mason City, to parents Steve and Brenda (Enabnit) Watters.

As a child Jesse looked forward to spending weekends on the Mississippi with the Watters Family. He was an avid 4-H and FFA member, earning his American FFA Degree. Jesse enjoyed breaking and training horses, and spent many weekends with his dad and brother, Jake, competing in ranch rodeos. To this day, Jesse still claims he has won more gold buckles. 

 Jesse was a strong athlete, competing in all sports with football being his passion. He was a Rockwell-Swaledale Rebel and wouldn’t miss the chance to talk about the Friday Night Lights and reminisce about Rebel Football. Jesse continued his football career, playing for the Upper Iowa Peacocks. Jesse looked forward to this coming Fall, as any father’s dream, being on the sidelines with his son, Jack. 

Jesse met the love of his life, Tanya, on a summer day when the dads were playing matchmakers and tricked Tanya into coming up to the big town of Swaledale, to meet this “Watters Boy.” Jesse loved to tell the story about when he looked out that window and knew he was going to marry her. His dream came true when they wed on July 10, 2004.  

Jesse was a kind and loving husband to his wife, Tanya, as well as an amazing father to their children, Jack, Ava and Emerie. Jesse thrived on being active in all the kids’ activities and took pride in all of their accomplishments. Raising and showing pigs was a highlight in their life and from that passion, Double WW Swine was created. Many lessons were learned during those late nights in the barn with his children. There were many late nights in the barn. He was proud of his 1,255 TikTok Followers.

Jesse was a leader of the Shifting Gears 4H Club, a North Iowa Fair Board Member, and Swaledale Assistant Fire Chief. Jesse was a faithful member of the Open Bible Church where he served in many roles. Jesse’s love for the Lord was at the core of who he was, and he desired for all he met to come to know Christ. 

What we will miss most about Jesse is his Big Heart, and his generous, caring soul for all those around him. We find comfort knowing that he is Home.  

Jesse is survived by his wife, Tanya; children, Jack, Ava, Emerie; parents, Steve and Brenda Watters; brother, Jake (Katie) Watters; grandfather, Arlin Enabnit, father-in-law and mother-in-law Darwin and Lori Gjerde; brothers-in-law, Shawn (Jess) Gjerde, Jimmy (Katie) Gjerde; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Carleton and Edna Watters and Marilyn Enabnit; aunts, Deb Watters and Terri Jochimsen; and cousin, Carl Watters.