Obituary - Eugene R. Esser

Eugene Esser, 87, Genesee

Eugene Richard Esser, a longtime Genesee resident, passed away peacefully with his wife and family at his side Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, at the age of 87. He was born May 6, 1924, in Uniontown, to Henry and Elizabeth Taufen Esser.

Gene attended a one-room country school while growing up, where he always claimed he was the smartest kid in his class! He finished his education at St. Boniface Catholic School in Uniontown, graduating in 1942.

Gene worked for Pacific Fruit in Spokane before being drafted into the U.S. Army. He spent time in the Philippines, survived a typhoon in Okinawa, and served in South Korea with the 6th Infantry Division. He proudly earned the rank of staff sergeant.

After returning home, he met his wife at a New Year's Eve dance. They were married Sept. 23, 1947, at St. Gall's Catholic Church in Colton, and recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

Gene and his wife made their home on the family homestead in Uniontown. Gene's farming career began with horse-drawn equipment and saw many changes in technology throughout the years. Gene was an accomplished electrician and in addition to running the family farm, he owned and operated the hardware store in Uniontown until 1968, when they moved and bought a farm in the Lenville area, near Genesee. Gene farmed until his "retirement" in 2002, when he entrusted the operations to his son. He continued to enjoy supervising and helping his son in any way that he could.

Gene was a member of St. Mary's Catholic churches in Genesee and Moscow, the Knights of Columbus and the American Legion.

He is survived by his wife and seven children; he was also blessed with 18 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Elmer Esser, Genevieve Druffel, Colletta Schultheis, Isabelle Olson, Bill Esser and Fran Thompson.

His family was the highlight of his life and he was a dedicated husband and father. He shared his love of life and laughter with everyone he met. He persevered through many hardships in his life with the loving care of his wife and was an inspiration to his family. May God bless him.

The rosary will be recited at 10:30 a.m. Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Genesee. A funeral Mass will follow at 11. A reception will be immediately afterward in the church fellowship hall. A graveside service with military honors will be at 2 p.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery in Uniontown. Viewing is from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Short's Funeral Chapel in Moscow.

Memorial donations may be made to the Genesee Knights of Columbus Council No. 1554, or to the Moscow Volunteer Ambulance.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel and online condolences may be sent to www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.

Lewiston Tribune, October 20, 2011, p. 5C
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock