Roger F. Eskra, 82, of Beatrice, died Monday evening, August 13, 2018 at the Beatrice Community Hospital. He was born on December 7, 1935 at Owatonna, Miin., and graduated from Preston High School. He married Gayle Roelofs on October 4, 1953 at Greenleafton Reformed Church of Preston. He served in the 101st Unit of the National Guard in Winona, Minn., from 1954 to 1957. He graduated from Winona State University in 1957 with a BS degree in Education and then taught school and coached in Minnesota and Iowa for six years. They moved to Beatrice in 1964. From 1963 to 1983, he sold jewelry for Josten’s and worked for American Envelope for five years in Omaha, retiring in 1999. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Beatrice, Beatrice Country Club, Beatrice Chamber of Commerce where he had been a member of the Traveling Men’s Association, and Elk’s Lodge #619.
Survivors include his wife Gayle of Beatrice; one daughter, Jan Miller and husband Michael of Omaha; one son, David Eskra and wife Lisa of Beatrice; five grandchildren: Hillary Miller and husband Taylor Mason, Lucas Miller and wife Alli, Nate Eskra and wife Erin, Morgan Smith and husband Dylan, Tatum Eskra and special friend Derek Clausen; one great-granddaughter, Maren Miller; and soon to be great-grandsons, Eskra and Smith. He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Marion Albertus Eskra; one sister, Joyce (Jack) Wendt; one brother, Robert Eskra.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 25, 2018, at the First Presbyterian Church of Beatrice, with Rev. Douglas Hileman officiating. Casual attire is requested. A private inurnment of Roger’s cremains will take place prior to the service at Evergreen Home Cemetery of Beatrice. Visitation will be held at the Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice on Friday August 24, 2018, from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. with the family meeting and greeting friends and relatives from 6:30-8 p.m. Memorials in lieu of flowers are suggested to the family for future designation. Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice is in charge of the arrangements, www.foxfuneralhome.net.