Eugene 'Bud' A. Jesch

Eugene A. "Bud" Jesch of Stratton passed away Thursday, April 18, 2019 at Community Hospital in McCook. He was 92 years old. Bud was born near Beardsley, KS on August 2, 1926 to parents, August J. and Eleanor (Waiss) Jesch. He went to first grade at a country school near their farm. In 1933, his family moved to a farm northeast of Stratton. Bud finished his elementary education at Dry Canyon School near the farm. The schoolhouse was then moved to his farm. He attended high school in Stratton where he graduated with the class of 1943. In 1943, on his 17th birthday, Bud enlisted in the US Navy. He took his basic training at Farragut, ID. He was assigned to the USS Fanshaw Bay Aircraft Carrier and was a radioman on the ship during the war. He saw action in the Marianas and in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, October 24, 1944. He received a Purple Heart after the Battle of Leyte Gulf near the Philippines. Bud and Donna Jean Richards met each other in high school where they were cast opposite of each other in their Junior class play. They began dating and on December 28, 1946 they were united in marriage at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Denver, CO. To this union five children were born. Bud was an integral part in the construction of the Trenton dam as a crane operator. He also worked as an insurance agent for Farm Bureau for a time. His love for tilling the land and raising cattle made him return to the farm until his retirement. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Stratton VFW and American Legion, William Egle Post #281. He also served on the Stratton Village Board and was currently serving on the Rose Hill Cemetery Board. He loved all sports but especially Husker football. Bud received his pilot's license and flew a small single engine prop. His love of family was foremost in his life, enjoying his children and grandchildren, and attending many of their events. Preceding him in death were his parents, August and Eleanor Jesch; sister, Dolores Schick; two grandchildren, Travis Jesch and Patrick Valdez; daughter-in-law, Deb (Sheldon) Jesch; two sisters-in-law and four brothers-in-law. Survivors include his wife, Donna of Stratton; children, Vicki (Jesch) Brown and Geoffrey Jesch both of North Platte, Doug (Deb) Jesch of Kearney, Monica (Paul) Valdez of Parker, CO, and Bradley (Tami Jo) Jesch of Stratton; 14 grandchildren, Trevor (Jen) Larsen, Tiffany ODay, Tara (John) Layman, Tami (Fred) Schmitt, Barrett (Abby) Brown, Blake Brown, Rachel (Chris) Hillman, Brandon (Jill) Jesch, Elliot Jesch, Aaron Jesch, Zachary (Tonya) Valdez, Liza (TJ) Valdez, Crissy (Terry) Latta and Dallas (Trista) Jesch; 22 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Gilbert Jesch of Myrtle Beach, SC and Ramon (Luan) Jesch of Boulder, CO; four sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; nieces, nephews, and a host of friends. Visitation will be Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Stratton, NE, from 5:30 p.m. until time of Rosary which will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, April 24, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Stratton, NE, with Father Matthew Eickhoff as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery with full Military Honors. Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook entrusted with arrangements. Visitation St. Joseph's Catholic Church Tuesday, April 23, 2019 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM 410 County Ave Stratton, nebraska 69043 Rosary St. Joseph's Catholic Church Tuesday, April 23, 2019 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM 410 County Ave Stratton, nebraska 69043 Mass of Christian Burial St. Joseph's Catholic Church Wednesday, April 24, 2019 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 410 County Ave Stratton, nebraska 69043 Graveside Service Rose Hill Cemetery Wednesday, April 24, 2019 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Stratton, NE 69043