Frederick Eiesland
Share
Memorial Mass for Frederick “Fred” Alfred Carl Eiesland, 80, Lawrence will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Topeka. He went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, April 28, 2011. Fred passed away riding his beloved bicycle on the bike trails in Lawrence, KS. Fred was born March 15, 1931 in Larchwood, IA.
He was the son of Adolph and Hazel (Helgeson) Eiesland. He graduated in 1949 from Canton High School, Canton, SD. Fred served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict from 1951 – 1954.
He married Helen Gilmore on August 7, 1954 in Canton, SD. She preceded him in death August 3, 1999. Fred enjoyed a long career helping others, beginning his career as a police officer for the Topeka Police Department in 1957. He received his Associate of Mental Health Certificate from Washburn University in 1974. He joined the staff of The Menninger Foundation in 1961 and retired as an activity therapist in 1993. Fred was only retired for a short time, and joined the staff of the Battered Women’s Taskforce at the YWCA in Topeka, leading the Alternatives to Battering program from 1993 – 1996. He worked as a mental health technician at Stormont Vail West from 1997 – 2006. Fred then worked for Valeo Behavioral Care in Topeka. In 2008, Fred moved to Lawrence, KS to live with his daughter, Rose and her children. Fred was working for Trinity In-Home Care at the time of his death.
Fred is survived by three brothers, Aaron, Brainerd, MN, David, Detroit Lakes, MN, John Rolfe, Minneapolis, MN; three daughters, Kathryn Engstrom, Topeka, KS, Rose Foster, Lawrence, KS, Sarah Williamson and son-in-law, Jim Williamson, Topeka, KS. He was the very proud grandfather of, Benjamin Engstrom, Topeka, KS, Josiah Engstrom, Topeka, KS, Andrea Engstrom, Topeka, KS, Samuel Foster, Milwaukee, WI, Alexander Williamson, Topeka, KS, Jack Williamson, Topeka, KS, Georgia Foster, Lawrence, KS, and two great granddaughters, Bailey Koker, Topeka, KS, and Joy Koker, Topeka, KS. He was also preceded in death by a son, Samuel Eiesland; a daughter, Ann Herrin and son-in-law, Gordon Foster.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Fred Eiesland Memorial Fund and may be sent in care of the Mortuary.
A Rosary will be said at 6:45 p.m. with a visitation to follow until 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary 120 W. 13th St. in Lawrence.
Oh, Dad, I miss you so! I keep expecting you to come home! I keep waiting to hear the garage open and shut, hearling ’Law and Order’, hearing the shredder. You were my rock. I rejoice in your completeness now! You are free, dad! My heart aches,but,also rejoices. Hugs. Oh,and Tiny misses you!
I love Rose and I love Fred. Such an amazing man, with so many hard life experiences, and jobs that required “toughness,” yet so much openness about how he was affected by the losses in his life, and so much caring and sharing with others. I feel lucky to have him in my life, and just wasn’t ready for him to go. And i know that’s selfish. But I feel so sad today.
To Sarah and her family, our hearts go out to you at this with the passing of Fred.
Sarah, Jim, and family,
We were so sorry to hear of Fred’s passing. It was our our true joy and pleasure to have known him. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Fred, I was lucky to have known you and to have shared conversations…..lucky to know Rose and know how much she and the rest of your family miss you.
Rose. I am so sorry for your loss. I will be thinking of you during this difficult time.
Teri Barr
To the Family of Fred Eiesland: Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies are with you and your family during this most difficult time. May God bless you and the memories you hold.
Joel & Patty Eiesland, Brandon, SD
Helen Eiesland, Sioux Falls, SD
Rose and Family:
My heart felt condolences for the loss of your Father.
Our hearts are sad for the loss of such a special man. Fred was a rock for his family and he will be missed by so many people. He touched many lives in his time on earth. I think he left this world the way he would have wanted to – riding his bike on a beautiful, sunny afternoon. My prayers of strength are with you, Rose, Trina & Sarah.
May you rest in peace my dear friend. Semper Fi, Fred.
It seems impossible that you are gone Uncle Fred. I am really going to miss you. Take care everybody. I know how tough this must be for all of you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
I’m Just Sorry That The Lawrence Kansas Police Have Had To Put Up With So Many Crazy Events Around This Sweet Little Town Of Lawrence Kansas Lately, Including Me, Back In Early 2011, I Guess That Really Didn’t Do Much Of Anything Useful An Hour After My Father Told Me To Sit The Heck Down, And To Shut The Heck Up, One Hour (One Hour!) Before I Decided To Be A One Woman Freak Show On My Apartment’s Front Porch Outside Of My Apartment! The Lawrence Kansas Police Really Did Not Need To Deal With That Crap Back In Early 2011 Either. Everybody Is Just Crazy Here At Eagle Ridges Apartments, All Of Us! What Is Happening To This Eagle Ridges Apartment Complex?? 🙁