Jeffrey Ryan Bissell

Jeffrey Ryan Bissell, age 82, of Belle Plaine, MN, formerly of Jordan and New Prague, MN, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 1, 2025, at Hennepin County Medical Center, in Minneapolis, MN.

A Liturgy of the Word will be held on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 2 PM, with a gathering one-hour prior all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 104 West First Street, Jordan. Father Jim Perkl will preside. Jeff will be laid to rest at Spirit Hill Cemetery in Jordan.

Jeffrey Ryan Bissell was born in Excelsior, MN, on October 15, 1942, to John and Suzanne (Ryan) Bissell. He grew up in Hopkins, MN as the eldest of five children. Jeff graduated from St. Benilde Catholic School, continued his education at Mankato State University, and completed his teaching degree at the University of Minnesota. He began his career at Richfield Elementary but spent the majority of his professional life with the New Prague School District teaching in grades 4-6. He was dedicated to fostering creativity, and he took great pride in encouraging this quality in his students. Jeff also served honorably in the Naval Air Reserves.

Jeff experienced an adventurous upbringing and carried that spirit throughout his life. A true Renaissance Man, he surrounded himself with a flurry of activities and constantly pursued new ideas. Jeff was always “all in” when shifting his attention to new activities, including painting, sketching and writing. He loved being outdoors experiencing adventures of canoeing, kayaking, rollerblading, skating, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Jeff also engaged in dancing, biking, motorcycling, and capturing the simple things in life through photography. He had a deep passion for music. Jeff wasn’t afraid to pick up an instrument and play it. He loved the sweet sounds of his guitar, keyboard, violin, cello, viola, Irish drum and whistle, flute, mandolin, conga drums, and any other instrument that was placed into his hands. It was one of his greatest joys to share these passions with his children and grandchildren.

While in college, Jeff married Beverly Deal. From this union his great pride was being a father to his three children, Chris, Jennifer and Tom. Eventually, Jeff and Bev parted ways. He remarried and spent the next 37 years with Terese “Terry” Keller Laffen.

As Jeff’s Parkinson's disease and heart disease advanced, he gradually had no choice but to withdraw from many of the things he had loved to do through the years. But he continued to find great joy in watching his children and grandchildren enjoy those interests and hobbies and continuing his passions and legacy.

Jeff will be forever loved and missed by wife, Terry; children, Chris (John) Witt, Jennifer (Mannie) Ukutegbe, Tom (Amy) Bissell; step-children, Nick (Anita) Laffen, Tasha (Don) Mink; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Nathan) West, Sam (Abby) Witt, Issac (Bailey) Witt, James (Abby) Witt, Megan (Trevor) Schmitz, Tasha (Zack) Shetka, Leah (Brooks) Prochaska, Abby Bissell, Manni Jr. Ukutegbe, Zach Ukutegbe, Kinleigh Ukutegbe; step-grandchildren, Danielle Laffen, Nathan Laffen, Bren Mink, Cecila Mink; great grandchildren, Grant West, Cora West, Lauren West, Emma Witt, Henry Witt, Lucas Witt, Annabelle Shetka, Louis Schmitz; sisters, Brooks Regan, Judie (Tim) Keane; other relatives and friends.

Greeting Jeff home in eternal peace is his great-granddaughter, Lillian Shetka; father, John Bolles Bissell; mother, Suzanne Ryan Bissell Austin; brother, John Bissell; sister, Leslie Hanger, and brother-in-law, Ron Regan.