October 14, 1923 – Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Service Information
The Peterson Chapel, 119 Central Avenue,
Saturday, September 12
11
Visitation Information
Chester “Chet” Frank Eskierka, age 85, of Buffalo, formally of Alexandria, Coon Rapids and Northeast Minneapolis, passed away on September 9, 2009 at Unity Hospital in Fridley. Chester Frank Eskierka was born on October 14, 1923 to Polish immigrants, Peter and Mary (Vavak) Eskierka in Minneapolis. He grew up in Northeast Minneapolis and had many great reminiscences of the times he had there. Chet served in the US Army for 5 years during WWII and was stationed in the South Pacific, Africa, and Italy. He was awarded a purple heart medal for injuries sustained in battle. On October 4, 1952 Chester was united in marriage to Dorothy Westerlund in Minneapolis. They lived in Coon Rapids for 26 years where they raised five children. A long-time Soo Line railroad man, he retired in 1974 to Alexandria where he and Dorothy stayed for another 26 years. In 2005 they moved to Buffalo to be closer to family. Chet loved camping; in his younger years the family used a tent and later he towed a trailer. They went all over the country. A Twins fan, Chet liked to watch television, hunt, fish, golf, do farm work (including raising ducks), do cabinetry and carpentry (including working on his Alexandria home on Ida Lake), and being out of doors.
He will be dearly missed. Chet was known for his terrific sense of humor and wonderful stories. He loved to talk and laugh with everyone he met.
Chester was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to his to his wife, Dorothy; son, Peter (Debbie), Cedar; daughters: Shiela, Buffalo, Denise (Michael) Grupa, St Cloud, and Patricia, Buffalo; stepson, Randall (Marry Jane) Hoelscher, Mission, Texas; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He is also survived by brothers: John Kirk, Staples, Walter (Marcy), Nisswa; sisters: Josephine Geyer, Forest Lake, Genevieve Sazenski; sisters-in-law, Norma Jo Eskierka; Lenore Frigaard; brothers-in-law, C. LeRoy Westerlund, all of Minneapolis, and Archie (Doris) Westerlund, Buena Vista, Colorado. He was preceded in death by son, Lee; sisters: Marie Shuck and Stella Harhut; and brothers: Theodore, Edward, and Eugene.
The funeral service was held on Saturday, September 12, at 11AM at The Peterson Chapel – Buffalo with visitation one hour prior to the service. The burial was at Siloa Lutheran Cemetery in Braham. With Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post 290, Cambridge.
sending hugs and prayers with my deepest sympathy
Although we were only aquainted with Chet for about Four years he will be dearly missed. Many hours were spent with Chet in the swing in his garage. Many stories were “Listened To” and they were stories we will hold dear to our hearts! He shared many stories of the war, raising ducks, working, fighting, and the like. The story without a doubt was when he would talk about his family and how proud he was of them all. Of the many times Chet would tell us the same story, the one about his family was told the most often, and sometimes with a tear in his eye. We will miss you in the neighborhood our friend! Rest In Peace!