Elmer Laverne Mess, 86, a resident of rural Davenport, passed away on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at Harmony Utica Ridge in Davenport.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, at Our Savior Presbyterian Church in Argo. Burial followed at Summit Cemetery. Visitation was from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials may be made to the Scott County Historical Society at Summit Church. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home of Bettendorf assisted the family with arrangements.
He was born in Davenport on Dec. 19, 1939, the son of Ernest “Ernie” and Marjorie Ann (Hamann) Ven Horst. Elmer attended Iowa State University in Ames, St. Ambrose University in Davenport and proudly served in the Iowa Army National Guard.
On Dec. 29, 1962, he was united in marriage to Sonja Elaine Rock in Calamus. She preceded him in death on Dec. 12, 1998. On July 6, 2002, he was united in marriage to Maria Anna Miller at Summit Church. She preceded him in death on April 5, 2023.
Elmer was a life-long farmer in Scott County and was well-known for the delicious sweet corn, vegetables and flowers he grew for the farmer’s markets and the Little Red Barn. He was a member of Singles in Agriculture and the Eastern Iowa Polka Club. He enjoyed dancing and playing dominos with his many friends.
Those left to honor his memory include his daughters, Teresa (Mark) Nelson of Jenison, Mich., and Roxanne (Mike) Nagel of Wildwood, Mo.; his sons, Rick (Dr. Tammy Wells) Mess of Davenport and Mark (Michele) Mess of Eldridge; his step-children, Lori Ann (Steve) Dudley, Heidi (Dan) Mussack, Trudy Ecoffey and her friend, Chuck, and Henry (David) Miller; his grandchildren, Travis (Danee Conley) Nelson, Stephanie (Ian) Mueller, August “Gus” Nagel, Sydney Nagel, Aden Mess, Bram Mess, Cael Mess, Cameron Mess, Mitchell Mess, Marshall Mess and Courtney Davison, 10 step-grandchildren; great-grandchildren, Orson “Ori” Mueller, Pierce Mueller, Alivia Davison and Jaxon Davison; 12 step-great-grandchildren; his sisters, Joanne Oberbreckling of Davenport and Jane (Gary) Weber of Davenport; and many other extended family members and friends.
In addition to his wives, Sonja and Maria, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, John VenHorst, his sister, Jeanne (Chuck) Krambeck and his granddaughter, Madelyn “Maddie” Mess.
Condolences may be expressed to the family by viewing his obituary at www.McGinnis-Chambers.com.
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