Gerald Lynn Eller

From humble beginnings growing up in the small western town of Stratton, Nebraska to serving in a top leadership position of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Gerry left a positive impact on the people he met and places he lived. Gerry passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 30th, 2025.

After graduating high school where he played football, basketball, and track, Gerry attended McCook (Nebraska) Junior College on a football scholarship. It was there he met his wife of over 65 years, Ann Louise Janisch. They married on Dec 27th,1959 and the following year moved to Lincoln where he earned his Civil Engineering Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Nebraska. After graduation, he started his career with the FHWA and over the next 33 years his work took him and Ann across the United States from Nebraska to Oregon, Utah, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Colorado, New Hampshire and Washington DC. While in Utah, he earned his Civil Engineering Master’s Degree from the University of Utah. In the early 80’s he was part of a US delegation that spent 6 months in Saudi Arabia advising the Saudi government on road and bridge construction. Gerry had an esteemed career with the FHWA and retired from the Senior Executive Service in 1995 as the Director of Engineering for the Administration. Wherever he lived, Gerry embraced new experiences, made new friends, and immersed himself in the local culture. He always found beauty in something new and different – traits that he passed on to his son - Michael and daughter - Gera. Of all the places he lived, Montana held a special place in his heart and was where he moved after retirement.

He and Ann shared their time between Helena, Montana and Casa Grande, Arizona while also travelling to spend time with his children and grandchildren wherever they were. His greatest joy was playing golf at Green Meadow Country Club or elk hunting on the Whitetail Ranch outside of Craig, Montana with his good friend Merlin Voegle. His love of golf included serving two terms as President of the Board of Directors for Green Meadow Country Club and serving as a member of the Montana Seniors Golf Association. In addition to golf, hunting, and fishing, Gerry had an artistic side. His artistic hobbies included golf club making, stained glass art, and gourd art.

In 2015 Gerry and Ann moved to Arizona full time, putting them closer to Gera and her husband Mike Ashton. During the last few years of his life his health declined and Gera and Mike Ashton were always close by to help.

Gerald Eller was a loving husband, awesome Dad, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, and friend to many. He was a leader who never shied away from getting involved when he could make a difference.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his brother Doug (Bev) Eller, his children: Mike (Alison) Eller and Gera (Mike) Ashton, grandsons: Joe (Emily) Eller and Taylor (Kailey) Ashton, great grandchildren: Brayden Eller, Brooke Eller, and Troy Ashton.