Dad had some of the best stories and memories. Listen to him talk about his blue pickup and the septic truck.
.
Then there was the time Monte had a bad car wreck and dad had his fishing interrupted.
Seems he was in a hurry a lot…
Pretty sure this is where we all got that great sense of humor.
Even toward the end, he still remembered all his cousins, aunts, and uncles and everybody “twice removed” (I never could keep track of that).
The last couple years were difficult but he had amazing Doctors, and Andie was the caregiver from heaven. I have never witnessed a love like they had. Rest easy, Dad, we love you.
January 13, 1940 – April 2, 2026
YOU NEVER SAID I LOVE YOU
You never said I love you
We weren’t that kind of family
After church you would teach me to waltz
on the linoleum squares in the living room
one two three, one two three
But you never said I love you
You pulled us in a sled behind the snowmobile
and we toasted hot dogs and marshmallows
over a fire on the side of the little pond
where we’d ice skate under the stars
But you never said I love you
You took us camping and fishing
and when it was time to go home
we had to pick up everything to leave
the campsite cleaner than we found it
But you never said I love you
You came home from working the early shift
and changed clothes to go to your
second job, sometimes coming home
after we were all in bed
But you never said I love you
You gave me a plastic tool box with a
hammer, screwdrivers, and a pliers,
and a small assortment of nails and
screws when I moved away for my
first job, just so I would have the basics
But you never said I love you
You built toy trucks and benches
and rubber band guns for all the
grandkids at Christmas time
in your workshop in the backyard
But you never said I love you
You told everyone around you
How proud you were of your kids
and their families.
But you never said I love you
You never said I love you,
but you didn’t have to
We knew, Dad, we knew
Copyright 2026 Lyn Steinmetz
Gerald John Eslinger Eulogy delivered by Kim
Thank you for being here as we say our goodbyes to the most caring man I know. Although we are all saddened by his passing, I am thankful to have been blessed with the best Dad ever and that he was able to live a full and happy life. I’m also glad to have had the opportunity to recognize and appreciate him and let him know that he was truly loved by all of us.
He taught us so much over the years, whether intentional or not. He left us with so many good memories and unconditional love that we are all thankful for.
Dad was my inspiration over the years as he worked 2 jobs as we were growing up but still took time to enjoy his family. He taught us so much. I was totally inspired by his hard work and the goal of retiring early at 57. When he retired he didn’t quit working. He just loved the work he was doing. I recall many times when I would call and he would be sitting at the doctor’s office with a neighbor in need of some help. .. he was there. Or he was working in his wood shop, making gifts for people or for benefit donations. He taught me what true compassion was.
He also loved to tell me stories about his horse, Doll, as he was growing up. He loved that horse. His memories included a story about his brother Bobby who wouldn’t help him climb up on it, but I need to get more details on that.
In our younger years he did buy us a horse, a Shetland pony. I don’t know if that was his plan to toughen us up?!? It taught us the responsibility that comes with caring for an animal, and that pony was an expert at taking us in the bushes or under the clothesline. I remember the day Dad was going to “take the buck out of him” for us. He didn’t fit so well in the tiny saddle and I’m not sure who learned more that day, but the vision is still imprinted in my mind.
He taught us responsibilities and compassion for the animals. I remember tromping thu the snow out behind the garage in the dark to feed the beagles -Tippy, Sheba, and Queeny. We got to raise some puppies and sell some puppies. He took us hunting with them and it was so exciting when they would bring a rabbit to us. That was so cool!
He was an educator: teaching Rick to drive the septic truck at 10 years of age. I don’t know that Dad finished the lesson though of how to park the truck, Rick is still driving….
He taught us to laugh,even when we shouldn’t, like the time he caught us stealing his cigarettes and sharing them with the neighbor kids down in the big culvert. I was all of about 5 years old (so I did have influencers – it wasn’t my idea). Dad couldn’t hold back the laughter when he asked me if I was smoking also and I told him, yeah, about 2 a day…
He was a disciplinarian. He taught us to pay attention in church or we would get “thumped” in the back of the head. That was a pretty stern warning that settled us immediately. If you all just want to reach over and “thump” your neighbor next to you in Dad’s honor…. Or not!
He put the traveling bug in all of us, some more than others. They didn’t usually leave us behind, but when they went snowmobiling without us once, they decided to take us the next day on a long ride. We were in the cutter sled behind the snowmobile, riding thru the woods for what seemed like hours, and then stopping and having a fire and cooking hotdogs for lunch. The way home seemed much quicker than the way there, but later on we found out we were just doing loops in the woods across the road.
He was a handyman and generous with his time. He helped Monte and Jen, and Darien build their houses. Come to think of it, he helped install the closet doors when we built. He had my husband stand inside the closet and he held the door up to set the frame. Bernie learned about claustrophobia that day also. Luckily they found a way around it and my closet doors are properly installled.
He took pride in his family and loved to talk about the kids and grandkids. He loved sharing fishing and hunting stories of his life and hearing about the fishing and hunting excursions of the kids and grandsons. He looked forward to events and set them as goals, so excited for the grandkids as he watched so many of them find their life partners. He was able to make it to some weddings, but strived to be there for the upcoming weddings in the family also. He will be there.. through all of us and watching over all of us.
He showed us what true love looks like as he adored Andie and I don’t think they spent a day apart once they wed.
As Andie held his hand thru the end; she is the strongest and most patient woman I know. Thank you for being his advocate, caretaker, wife and best friend thru it all. He adored you endlessly and so do we. This whole room has you in our hearts and prayers. We are all here for you, and always will be.
Dad, you gave us all unconditional love and we never wanted to ever disappoint you. Your life was a blessing, your guidance was a gift, your strength was an inspiration, and presence will be irreplaceable and your memory will be a treasure we will all carry with us every day.
We are thankful for the great family, friends and neighbors he has had who were there when we couldn’t be there to help him these past couple years.
I’d like to extend a special thank you to the doctors, caregivers, neighbors, friends, and family who helped us take care of Dad. Special thank you to St Croix hospice, especially Gwen and Nita who spent hours at the house weekly. Your visits entertained our folks as you were providing wonderful care which allowed them to remain at home a little longer on the journey.
Dad, you are truly the best of us and will live on thru us. Rest easy Dad. We love you.