Mary Jean Eilers

Mary was born Dec. 27, 1921, the ninth of ten children, in rural Elk City Idaho to George and Mary Esh in the room of a small hotel in town used for this purpose. Although she grew up poor, with her pregnant mom widowed when she was just 7 years old, she described her childhood as “happy with complete love and friendship from all her brothers and sisters”.

She graduated from Lincoln HS in 1939, and was married in December 1940 to Fred J. Eilers in Portland, Oregon, where she lived the rest of her life. She was the mother of five and an excellent homemaker, but also worked outside the home. As she describes in her autobiography, published in 2019, she went into Fred’s office to help with some paperwork, and “ended up working 25 years” as an accounting clerk. Mom and Dad both worked for a trucking company called Bend Portland, or System 99, or Trans Western Express, the same company and location but with different names due to buy-outs and mergers.

After retiring they spent many winters of their golden years in sunny San Diego or Palm Springs. After Fred died Mary made yearly trips to Palm Springs for more than twenty years and would invite her entire family to stay with her at varying times, creating a wonderful family tradition and making many great memories. She also made a few trips to the Midwest and East Coast with daughter Susan. Mary was an avid golfer and bridge player, book reading enthusiast, and master crossword puzzle expert. Mom had a wonderful sense of humor and was sharp as a tack to her last day. She has been a member of Riverside Golf and Country Club since 1964. She was president of Oregon Senior Women Golf Association in 1993 and held many elected offices at Riverside which she called her second home.

Mary had many close friends and was the matriarch of a large and loving family, all who will miss her dearly. She will live in our hearts forever. She is predeceased by her husband Fred of 58 years and her beloved son Michael. She is survived by her daughter Susan (Lyle), son Tom (Nancy), daughters Rose (Ken) and Peggy (Mark), and daughter-in-law Mary Kay. She also leaves seven grandchildren, Mark (Jill), Jeff, Scott, Greg (Kristen), Paul, Cori (Chuck), and Luke (Marleena). She has nine great grandchildren. She was predeceased by all nine of her siblings.

Mary left a written message for her family; “Just remember what a great and long life I’ve had, and so much fun with you all!!! Do not grieve - celebrate! Stay close as a family, for me. xoxo Mom”

Funeral service will be held at St. Rita’s Catholic Church at 11am Saturday March 13th, preceded by a Rosary service at 10:30am. A socially distant reception will be held in the church hall immediately afterward with refreshments. Due to state Covid guidelines, crowd size is limited to 100 people, and we regret that attendance must be managed by invitation only. A graveside ceremony will be held at 2:30 pm at St. Francis Cemetery in Roy, Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in memory of Mary Jean Eilers to the Oregon Humane Society.