Fred F. Jesberger, 93

Fred Jesberger, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully with his family by his side, in Spokane, Wash., on Oct. 16, 2020.

Dad was born May 5, 1927, in St. Marys, Pa., the fifth child of seven. He had a great childhood, describing it as a Huckleberry Finn existence in the wilds of Western Pennsylvania.

After graduation he enlisted in the Army and spent most of his time during the war in Panama, where he bragged that, “not one Japanese plane made it past him!” Upon returning home he joined the “Dapper Dan” club as one of most eligible bachelors in St. Marys. He loved to tell the story of our grandfather patiently waiting for him to come home after a night of carousing so they could head to the stream together for a little fishing. Finally, he met the woman of his dreams, Marie Kern. After a courtship of over a year, Dad proposed before midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. They were married on May 5, 1956, in a three-day ceremony (what a party!).

In 1959 Dad got stuck in the snow and told Mom they were moving to Arizona. Mom said, “Great I am already packed!” They followed Mom’s Arizona roots, moving to Phoenix and finally settling in Tempe in 1962.

Over the next years he was the father that we all aspire to be, from being the only dad camping with daughter Julie’s, Girls Club campouts in the Superstition Mountains, to coaching parks and rec baseball teams for his sons.

After retirement, Fred and Marie wintered in Gilbert, Ariz., and summered in a log cabin outside of Deary, Idaho, where they enjoyed many adventures, including fishing and exploring North Idaho with their grandkids. Spending time with his grandkids and gently teaching them life lessons was one of his many special gifts. Eventually, they moved to Hayden Lake, Idaho, where they created many more memories.

Dad was always a very hard worker and volunteered at several places after he retired. Fred never met a stranger. He was known for walking daily (with his unique walking stick) and talking to almost every neighbor. If you didn’t stop to visit, he would wait until you did. He will be missed!

Fred leaves behind his children, Greg (Jan), Julie (Chad) and Mike (Michelle). Also, daughter-in-law, Tammie Ehrgott; eight grandchildren: Mike (Taylor), Katie (Matthew), Josh (Kelsey), Hannah, Zach, Emily, Eric and Jeremy; as well as five great-grandchildren: Henry, Addison, Andrew, Jack and Mckenna. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie, of 52 years and his son, Andrew, along with his parents and siblings.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Spokane, Wash. Due to COVID-19 concerns, social distancing and mask guidelines will be enforced. Limited space is available and attendance will be by invitation only. You can also follow a livestream at https://shparishspokane.org/livesteam or on Facebook at Sacred Heart Church, Spokane.

Private inurnment will be held, along with a rosary, at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Gilbert, Nov. 13, 2020, at 10 a.m. If you would like to view an interview that Greg had with our Dad last year, here is the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rh--QwSU74. We hope to have a celebration of life gathering when COVID-19 concerns ease.

Dad would have appreciated memorial donations to Meals on Wheels (1222 W. Second Ave, Spokane, WA 99201), or Catholic Charities (204 S. Wall St., Spokane, WA 99201) or your favorite charity.

To leave an online condolence to Fred’s family, please visit our website at www.HennesseyFuneralHomes.com.