Gerald L Eskilsen Sr.
August 6, 1932 - May 6, 2013
Gerald was born August 6, 1932 in Fremont to Gunnar and Jenny (Hall) Eskilsen. He graduated from Fremont High School in 1950. He served in the United States Navy aboard the USS Dixie during the Korean Conflict years of 1950 to 1953.
Following his military service, he returned home and attended the Lincoln School of Commerce in Lincoln, Nebraska. Then he joined his father in the Eskilsen Furniture Store in downtown Fremont. Later, in the 1970's,
Gerald and his wife Ruth became owners of the store and operated it until 1986. From 1985 until 2009, Gerald and Ruth divided their time between Fremont, Wyoming, and Texas. Since 2009, they have remained in Fremont.
Gerald became a member of the Fremont Masonic Lodge No. 15 A.F. & A.M. in 1955, Tangier Shrine Center in Omaha in 1961, and he was a member of the Oriental Band of the Shrine. He was also a member of the Arbor Vitae Chapter 92 Order of Eastern Star in Fremont. In Rawlins, Wyoming he was a member of Korein Shrine Temple where he was the Chief Potentate's Aid in 1991. He was also their Director of the Director's Staff, and he was a member of the Royal Order of Jester's in Wyoming. He was a 'Life Member' of the Elk's Lodge having joined in Fremont in 1956, and was the Exalted Ruler in 1966. He served as the District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 1971. He was a National Ritual Judge, had been the State Ritual Chairman of the Elks, and had been a state trustee of the Elks. Gerald had been the Commodore of the Seminoe Boat Club in Wyoming and a board member of the boat club for 16 years.
Gerald was married on December 7, 1952 to Ruth Bockoven.
Survivors: wife Ruth
daughters Nanette and husband Dennis Rix of Fremont
Traci (Tank) and husband Cornell Hilgenkamp of Fremont (Woodcliff)
son Gerald and wife Patricia Eskilsen of Kennard
grandchildren Christian and wife Jessica Osborne of Chicago
Patrick and wife Cherish Osborne of St. Louis, MO
Aleasha and husband David Dryden of Arlington, Tyler Hilgenkamp of Fremont
sister Donna Freeman of Beatrice
brother Gunnard and wife Sue Eskilsen of Sacramento, Calif.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents Gunnar and Jenny, and son-in-law Gary Osborne.
The funeral service will be 9:30 AM Saturday (May 11, 2003) at the Ludvigsen Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Scott Jensen. The committal will follow in Ridge Cemetery with Military Honors by the Fremont Honor Guard of the American Legion Post 20 and VFW Post 854. Visitation at the Ludvigsen Mortuary will be on Friday (May 10th) from 2 to 8 PM with a public Masonic Service at 7 PM. The family will be present after 6 PM.
Memorials are suggested to the University of Nebraska Medical Center Organ Donor Program in Omaha and to the Masonic-Eastern Home for Children in Fremont.
online guestbook @ www.ludvigsenmortuary.com
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1249 E. 23rd St.
Fremont, NE 68025
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