Shaun Cesar

Shaun Cesar, born March 19, 1956, enjoyed a wonderful zest for life full of incredible experiences and the love of family and friends.  How can such a life be summed up in a column?  It can’t.  But one can reflect upon how Shaun Cesar touched so many lives during his journey.  Things and experiences are all part of a life, but it is the people, the people in Shaun Cesar’s life that meant the most.  The people he surrounded himself with that defines what kind of man Shaun Cesar was during his time on Earth.

Shaun’s early life was spent in Clear Lake.  The Drum and Bugle Corps in fourth grade opened his heart to making music.  His youth was also spent roughhousing with the kids on South Third Street, which included Doug Grimm.  His family moved to the Quad Cities where Shaun enjoyed exploring by the creek near his house.  Shaun and his little sister, Tracey, have many fond childhood memories.  As a young boy during Iowa summer thunderstorms, Shaun would wake Tracey and tell her he would protect her from the storms.  Shaun has protected Tracey his entire life. Life in the Quad Cities also helped Shaun expand his love of music and explore the mechanical world while working at GE.  Shaun had an innate talent for science and how things worked.  He was curious and had a wonderful ability to problem solve, fix, create, and build anything.  His artistry knew no bounds.

Shaun briefly returned to Clear Lake to work with his grandpa, Chuck Davis, at the Clear Lake Bakery where he could enjoy a freshly glazed doughnut hot off the line.  With a change in environment Shaun landed in Flagstaff, Az. to be with his Uncle Chuck and work at a paper mill.  Shaun continued this life as a hippie always finding work and adventure.  Shaun then returned to his love of music and the Quad Cities.  Groups like Scatter Band, Desaeray and Step Child, among others, created musical joy and lifelong friendships with Scott Ford, Mark Dekalb, Dave Craft and more.  His love of motorcycles also deepened and his ‘76 Shovelhead is still a prized symbol of independence.  Because he road, he developed a large group of lifelong friends, including John Stowe.

A new path in Shaun’s winding life arrived with the band I.V. Pauli.  Shaun was the spark to this band.  But destiny had other plans for Shaun, because while playing in I.V. Pauli he met the love of his life.  And, one day, out of the blue, Shaun called Laurie and asked her,  “Who is the best looking man you know?”  That phone call was the cement to a beautiful relationship as they eventually married in McIntosh Woods, Clear Lake, with Shaun’s Grandpa as his best man.  Since that time, Shaun and Laurie spent almost every single day together “building” a life filled with love.  Along with love, Shaun and Laurie built their cabin, created art, rode bikes, enjoyed music and formed friendships.  They “built” two beautiful little houses out of love.  The River Roost on the Mighty Mississippi, their cabin near Buffalo, Iowa, was a place of peace in spite of all of the work. For Laurie, he rebuilt the cabin after the 2008 flood.  All of his life lessons and skills are witnessed in this home he rebuilt with love.  While at the cabin, Shaun was able to reconnect with many old friends and develop new friendships.  The other home they “built” is the cottage in the Hood.  Here is where Shaun became the best form of himself.  He was surrounded by his community, his roots, and many friends.  He brought people together, past and present, old friends and new friends, blending beautifully together.  Shaun had a quick wit and clever mind.  He was the Handyman!  He made everyone feel special.  He loved life in Clear Lake because it is a happy place filled with good people.  He enjoyed boating in the summer and ice fishing with George.  Shaun took great pride in having the most beautiful yard in the Hood.  He loved his home in the Hood and was proud of the honor bestowed upon him as Mayor of the Hood.  Clear Lake is the place he felt safe and could give love.  Shaun often said, “It’s all good and safe in our little home.”

The people he loved who are still on this Earth are many, including, as he would say, his beautiful wife and best friend, Laurie; sister, Tracey Connell (Bob Lucas); nephew, Bryan; half-brother, Chuck; his mother, Sandra Cesar;  his “Outlaws,” Frank and Ruth Carlson;  Brother-in-law, Eric Carlson; sister-in-law, Linda Clark; dear friends, Jack and Nancy Meyer and Roger Medendorp.  There are so many family and friends that it is hard to name them all, but know you are all in Shaun’s heart.

And those who are now loving him include, Grandma Catherine and Grandpa Chuck Davis; aunt, Jill Deuel; Tracey’s baby, Jeffery Jr.; Sam the cat; and those who loved Shaun and passed before him.

Shaun Cesar was born to Ben and Sandra Cesar on March 19, 1956.  Cancer took his body June 15, 2016 in Clear Lake with Laurie and Tracey by his side.  Hospice of North Iowa assisted Laurie in providing loving care and support so Shaun could remain at his home in the Hood surrounded by all the love from all of the people during his journey on Earth.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in Memory of Shaun Cesar.  Please join family and friends in celebrating the beautiful life of Shaun Cesar on Saturday, June 25, from 4 – 6:30 p.m.  The service will be at 5 p.m. The celebration will be held on the Lady of the Lake dockside at the Seawall in beautiful Clear Lake.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.