Be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5)
On Sunday morning, October 30, 2022 at his home, Jerome J. “Jerry” Eickhoff left this world after a long illness of COPD. Services will be 1pm on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Artesia with Pastor Karl Wright officiating the services. Burial will follow at Twin Oaks Cemetery.
Jerry was born on September 12, 1949 in St. Cloud, Minnesota, the son of Jerome Joseph Eickhoff and Delores Steichen Eickhoff. He was baptized on September 18, 1949 at St. Francis de Sales in Belgrade, Minnesota. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Artesia and confirmed there on December 24, 1978.
Jerry and his parents moved to Artesia in 1964 and attended Artesia High School. He was a local police officer for 31 years, and then became a firearms and driver instructor at FLETC for nearly 17 years. He was proud to serve his community with compassion and kindness.
On May 19, 1973, he married Joy Carolyn, and became the most excellent father to Bert, Dawn, and John, and on January 1, 1975 Michael was born to the family. Although he was an only-child, he grew up in Wisconsin surrounded by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, and there he learned the importance of family. Jerry enjoyed the times spent at Bert and
Bertha’s home surrounded by family.
He was especially fond of hunting trips with his wife’s family, and later, hunting with Michael in New Mexico and Colorado. He enjoyed the New Mexico desert and tinkering with his tractors at “The Maybe Ranch”. His favorite pastime was fishing with his wife Joy, with many trips to Bonita, Lake Van, and Cottonwood Creek.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife’s parents Bert and Bertha Shaw, his son Bert Eickhoff, his wife’s brother and sister-in-law Harry and Marilyn Shaw. Survivors include his wife Joy Eickhoff, his daughter Dawn Buck and husband Hammon, sons John Eickhoff and wife Michele, Michael Eickhoff and wife Margo; grandchildren Rachel Andrew and husband Eian, Luke Huebner and wife Jenci, Paul Huebner, Jessica Cervi and husband Mike, Sarah Martin and husband Waylon, Joseph Eickhoff, Joshua Eickhoff, Brennan Eickhoff, and Braxton Eickhoff; great-grandchildren Elliot Joy Cervi, James William Cervi, Silas Michael Cervi, Noah Martin, and Daisy Eickhoff; nephews Steve and Rodney Shaw, and niece Jenise Dahlin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Artesia or to a charity of choice.
And so, at the dawn of each new day, as we set our feet on the untrod path before us, we can pray with quiet confidence: “Lord, bring me safely home. If not here – there. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord.” (Herman W. Gockel)
