Eldon Giesbers |
| Posted 2025-12-18 by Ken Giesbers |
| Eldon Giesbers was the oldest of six children born to Anthony (A.J.) Giesbers and Marie Krieger Giesbers. He was already taking flying lessons when he graduated from Verboort High School in 1949, as class president. At his dad’s suggestion, he went to Adcox Body School, to learn the automotive Body Shop trade. He started his own Body Shop in a tiny garage, just 24’ x 24’. In 1952, he married Jean Vanderzanden. They were married for over 30 years, having three children: Patti O’Dea, Ken, and Joe. Shortly after Patti was born, Eldon was drafted into the Army. When the Army learned that he had built a one-man helicopter from a kit, was mechanical minded, and had an interest in flying, they sent him to the Army Helicopter Maintenance Course, at The Aviation School in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to become a helicopter mechanic. He served two years of active duty at Fort Riley, Kansas. After the service, he and Jean returned to their house west of Forest Grove. Eldon resumed his Body Shop business, which he owned and operated for several more years. In the 1980’s, Eldon met Claudell Patzkowski, a music teacher in Hillsboro. They were married in Las Vegas in 1988, and spent the next 29 years at seven different addresses in Arizona and California. Eldon had a passion for rockhounding, which he shared with family and friends. Over time, he taught himself how to facet stones, and became a skilled jewelry maker, operating a side business as Rocksmith Industries. As a result of one of their moves, Eldon and Claudell fell in love with the quaint little town of Wickenburg, Arizona, where they lived from 1996 through 2010. It was with regret that they moved to Lake Havasu City, AZ in 2010, due to its lower cost of living. In 2017, Claudell succumbed to cancer. Eldon remained in their Lake Havasu City home until he passed away of heart failure in December 2021. Both of their ashes are interred inside of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, in Wickenburg. Eldon was a member of the Knights of Columbus his entire adult life. His passion for aviation and rockhounding notwithstanding, Eldon is perhaps best remembered for his sense of humor. An incurable prankster, and an excellent storyteller, Eldon could be counted on to lead his audience to tears of laughter. He is survived by his first wife, Jean Groce, their three children, Claudell’s two daughters (Pamela Trotter and Sherrill Honeychurch), a combined twelve grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. |
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