Jerry Kent Eiesland, 81, a resident of Fountain Hills, Arizona, departed from his earthly home on Aug. 12, 2021, after a courageous battle with stage four Glioblastoma brain cancer.
Jerry was born on Oct. 7, 1939, the son of Arnold and Emma Eiesland in Highmore, South Dakota. He moved with his family to Ridgefield, Washington, at the age of five and attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse close to the family farm. He graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1957 with athletic honors.
While attending Central Washington University, Jerry enlisted in the Army National Guard and served his country for five years.
He enjoyed a long and successful career in insurance sales, marketing and management. During this time, he worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oregon for 20 years. He then joined Pacific Health & Life Insurance Company and was instrumental in the company’s growth throughout Oregon.
Jerry finished his insurance career in Eugene, Oregon, where he joined Johnson Benefit Planning as a consultant helping large companies and government entities provide benefit packages for their employees. He semi-retired in 2004.
In his spare time, Jerry was an avid hunter, fisherman, outdoorsman, private pilot, scuba diver and adventurer. He spent many summers fishing in Alaska at their log cabin on the Kenai River, which is known as “Alaska’s Playground.” In addition, Jerry was a golf enthusiast and liked nothing better than playing a round of golf with his sons, brothers and friends on a sunny day. Jerry and his wife were known to many as the “Travelin’ Twosome” and were fortunate to travel extensively in their golden years. His big smile could light up any room and Jerry will be greatly missed by all who were lucky enough to know and love him. One can always say Jerry Eiesland lived life to the fullest.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Jeanie and brother Robert.
Jerry is survived by his devoted wife, Melanie, and two sons, Kevin (wife Michele) Eiesland and Michael Eiesland, by a previous marriage and stepson Todd Roetken. Other surviving family members include his three grandchildren, one great granddaughter, five brothers, two sisters and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of life service is planned for Sat., Sept. 25, 2021, at 1 p.m. at Mountain View Christian Center, 2810 N.E. 259th St., Ridgefield, Washington 98642.
Memorial contributions in Jerry’s memory can be sent to Ivy Brain Tumor Center; Barrow Neurological Foundation, 124 W. Thomas Rd., Suite 250, Phoenix, Arizona 85013. Your gift will help fund research in their relentless mission to find a cure for Glioblastoma Brain Cancer.
