Elmer Jeske
May 30, 1930 -
Apr 17, 2022
Our dear, sweet husband, dad, grandpa and great-grandpa, Elmer Alvin Jeske, passed away after a stroke on April 17, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. He had recovered from a few close scrapes in recent years, and fought hard to recover from his stroke as well, but in the end, his body could take no more. We are thankful that he was verbal up to the very end, allowing us to share memories and do a proper goodbye.
Elmer was born in Warden, Wash., on May 30, 1930, and was one of six siblings of a good German farming family. His only surviving sibling is his twin sister Elsie. He tried a foray into farming, himself and ended up joining the army, where he was stationed in Labrador City. He was introduced to his wife of 64 years, Roxy, by his sister Elsie. Their first date was at a roller skating rink in Portland, Ore.
After marrying Roxanna, they wasted no time in starting a family. They had three children: Denise, Karen and Terry. A friend told Elmer about a civil service job as a missile inspector in Alaska. It took a bit of convincing to get Roxy on board, but soon the family loaded up and headed to Alaska. They arrived in October 1964, just months after the big quake. What was supposed to be two years turned to four, then 10, and eventually became home for the rest of his life.
Elmer was strong, determined, hardworking and most of all truly loved people. He outlived most of his generation through careful blood pressure monitoring, daily exercise and eating good old home-grown veggies.
Into his 90s he was still biking and even rode his exercise bike the day of his stroke. He ran marathons, including Boston to commemorate his 50th birthday, hunted, fished, hiked, cross-country skied and taught his kids the love for the outdoors. He worked long days in his garden and greenhouse turning out crops that were not to be rivaled. He had started this year's tomato plants in February and was planning on another bumper crop. He often canned tomato juice, tomato sauce and salsa with his tomatoes. Aside from tomatoes, his cucumbers were out of this world and he made many a jar of pickles from his prolific crop. Elmer loved technology. He learned how to use an iPhone in his 80s, and loved following people on Facebook until the day of his stroke.
With all of his projects, Elmer still took the time to serve his community. He volunteered for the Nordic Skiing Association as a race timer, built trails for Parks and Rec, was a member of the Russian Jack Community Council and was a Community Patrol officer.
Dad loved ketchup - put it on most anything - country music, gardening, traveling around Arizona with Roxy in their motorhome, his family, beer and sweets. When Roxy lost him in a grocery store, he could usually be found in the bakery section. Roxanna and Elmer's cabin on Kenai River was their happy place and a gathering place for the entire clan. They have arranged for it to stay in the family.
Elmer is survived by his wife, Roxanna; and children, Denise (Dan) Carey, Karen (Tom) Bronga and Terry (Alison) Jeske. He is also survived by his adoring grandchildren, Jaime (Tim) Bronga, Rachel (Shane) Dooley, Brent (Sofia) Carey, Riley Bronga, Blaine Bronga, Camden Jeske and Mason Jeske; and two great-grandchildren, Paxson and Malina Dooley.
We are going to miss this great man and hope you can join us for a memorial service at First United Methodist Church on April 23, 2022, at 10 a.m. There will also be a Celebration of Life on Friday, May 20, 2022, from 5-8 p.m., at Russian Jack Chalet. Come raise a beer to Elmer and share some stories.
