Kendall John Giese
GIESE, SNYDER, BANDY, BUDDE, DUNNE
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 3/31/2025 at 09:21:29
Kendall John Giese, 36, of Iowa City passed away Wednesday, March 26th, 2025 at home after a brief battle with cancer.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, April 2nd at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Iowa City. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 P.M.- 8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, April 1st at St. Patrick’s beginning with a Rosary Vigil beginning at 3:30 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the family to be distributed to organizations that were important to Kendall.
Kendall was born on January 8th, 1989 in Iowa City, the son of David and Teresa (Snyder) Giese. On October 24th, 2020 he was united in marriage to Samantha (Bandy) Giese, beginning their married life together by renovating an old farmhouse outside of town that was their dream come true.
A 2007 graduate of West High School, Kendall started his career in law enforcement when he graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy and began working as a deputy sheriff for the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. Most recently, Kendall had been working as an Airport Safety Officer with the Eastern Iowa Airport. An Eagle Scout, Hunters’ Education instructor, and 4-H leader, Kendall found enjoyment in helping others to learn about and appreciate the importance of service and leadership, hunting and conservation, and nature and agriculture.
An avid deer hunter, Kendall loved to be outdoors, enjoying the solitude and peace of being in the woods. Mt. Dew, sugar cookies, a quiet fishing spot, Lego technic sets, shooting at the range, and a good flannel were all near and dear to Kendall’s heart. Kendall made the most delicious brown rice, gave the best hugs, and always had a witty comment and a smirk at the ready. He will be remembered for his bravery, loyalty, selflessness, simplicity, and his enviable eyelashes. Kendall has blessed his family and friends with one very special gift to honor and remember him by- a baby boy, Gus, expected later this month.
Kendall was truly one-of-a-kind. His selflessness, strength, humor, and faith were ever-present throughout his life, but were especially evident during his brave battle with stage IV colon cancer. Kendall’s kindness, compassion, and protection over others never waned. Although his life was short, the impact he has left on the lives of others has been large. The empathy and kindness shown to him and our family throughout these past few months were very inspiring to Kendall and nothing short of incredible. Kendall believed that there was purpose in the pain and that God had a plan. Even in the most difficult of times, Kendall chose to see the good more than the bad, and that has served as an inspiration for all.
Kendall is survived by his wife, Sam (Bandy) Giese; his infant son, Gus Giese; parents David and Teresa Giese; brothers Kurt Giese, and Michael (Stacia) Giese; one niece, Carter Giese; father and mother-in-law Chuck and Debbie (Budde) Bandy; brothers-in-law Matt and Nick Bandy; sister-in-law Sarah Bandy; many aunts, uncles, and cousins, and his two loyal labs, Summer and Boone.
He is preceded in death by one baby in-utero, Jacob; maternal uncles John Snyder and Matt Snyder; maternal grandparents Richard and Anne (Dunne) Snyder; and his beloved dog, Gracie.
Kendall’s family would like to thank the teams at UIHC and Hospice Compassus for their dedicated care of Kendall. A special shoutout to nurse Ellie, who went above and beyond to help and whose visits to Kendall in the hospital always brightened our day.
“The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.”
– Author Kalu Ndukwe Kalu
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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