Neil Arthur Jeske

It is with deep sorrow and sadness that we announce the passing of Neil Arthur Jeske, age 72, of Odessa, WA, who passed away on July 12, 2025 at the Odessa Memorial Hospital, where his soul was finally at peace after battling Parkinson’s Disease for many years and recently suffering several strokes.

Neil was born on May 4, 1953 in Odessa, WA to Arthur and Luella Jeske. He grew up on the family farm with his sisters Joyce Kenoyer, Linda (Bill) Waddell, and Donna (Ken) Kiehn. Neil was active in music and athletics throughout his childhood. He was a star basketball player, played tennis, was very active in music, playing the trumpet, singing, and acting as the drum major for the marching band in high school.

After graduating from Odessa High School in 1971, Neil attended Eastern Washington University where he received his teaching degree in music and grew his musical talents singing, playing several instruments, and was involved in college opera performances. He met his wife Cheryl Gabe at EWU in 1974. They married on August 16, 1975, and together they built a life filled with love, happiness, and hard work. When Neil and Cheryl began their marriage, they moved to Spokane, WA where he taught music for the Spokane School District for 3 years, was choir director for two churches, and they had their first daughter, Lanae (Chuck) Carper.

In 1980, Neil, Cheryl and Lanae moved to the family farm in Odessa, where Neil farmed and they continued to grow their family with two more children, son, Michael Jeske, and daughter, Kimberly (Devin) Ryan. Neil was active in the church and served as the choir director for many years. He is also remembered for his years of service with various agricultural and farming associations, the Odessa School District board of directors, and coaching Odessa High School basketball boys and girls teams, where he had a positive impact on many student athletes.

Neil retired from farming in 2020 and passed the farm on to his children as the next generation to continue being stewards of the land his ancestors homesteaded in 1898. He and his wife moved to town after 40 years on the farm. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren Sophia Rolland (Michael’s daughter), Harvin Ryan and Harley Ryan (Kimberly and Devin’s twin sons). He also continued involvement in the farm, researching auctions to attend and “good deals” on equipment and vehicles. August 16, 2025, Neil and Cheryl would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 26 at 10:30 am at the Heritage Church in Odessa with a reception to follow at the Odessa Old Town Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Odessa Booster Club, PO Box 7, Odessa, WA 99159 or to Heritage Church, PO Box 509, Odessa, WA 99159 in Neil’s memory. He will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www/strate-funeral.com for the Jeske family. STRATE FUNERAL HOME, Davenport, WA is caring for the family.