Edwin Edward Jeske

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, March 19, 2011, at Lind Community Church, for Edwin Jeske, who died March 13 at the age of 90.

Edwin Edward Jeske was born July 1, 1920, at the farm home south of Warden, WA to Edward and Magdalena (Schilke) Jeske, the oldest of four brothers and two sisters. Edwin graduated from Warden High School, and attended 2 semesters at EWU, Cheney. He entered the US Army on November 4, 1941. He attended cooks and bakers school attaining the rank of staff sergeant and mess sergeant. In November 1943 he crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the Queen Mary to England, attached to an anti-aircraft company. He crossed the English Channel and participated in the Battle of Normandy. Edwin received an honorable discharge from the army on October 29, 1945. On March 30, 2003, Edwin received The Jubilee of Liberty Medal for participation in the D-day campaign at Normandy, from Representative George R. Nethercutt Jr. US Congress. His uniform has been donated to the military museum at Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, WA

Edwin moved to Lind in 1946 where he married Esther Margaret Sackmann on October 6, 1946. He was employed eight years at the local Ford Dealership and thirty two years at Union Elevator as office manager. Edwin was an active volunteer of many charity organizations - charter member of American post 190 Lind, member of Lind Zion Congregational Church, board member of Camp N-Sid-Sen, served on the United Church of Christ conference of Washington Church and Ministry Committee, Sunday School Superintendent, and many other church offices.

Edwin and Margaret enjoyed traveling and gardening, as well as hosting numerous family and community gatherings. He also enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and craft projects.

Survivors include sisters Leah Goehner, Spokane, and Janet (Emil) Sackmann, Lind; brother Robert (Arlene) Jeske, Kershaw, SC; sisters-in-law Dollie Jeske, Moses Lake, and Joan Jeske, Ellensburg; and numerous nieces and nephews. Edwin was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years Margaret (Sackmann) Jeske, and by his brothers Daniel Jeske, Moses Lake, and Ernest Jeske, Ellensburg.

Remembrances may be given to Hospice of Spokane.