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Larry Keith Jeske

| February 17, 2020 10:53 PM

February 1, 1946 – February 12, 2020

Larry Keith Jeske was born Feb. 1, 1946, to Mary and Albert Jeske in Ritzville, Washington. He joined his sister Sheryl and brother Ronald at home in Warden, Washington. The family lived on Main Street, within a block of both grandmas. Even as a toddler, he could go and ask for cookies from Grandma Gerlach.

In 1952, the family moved to the farm. Larry had fond memories of going with his folks to the new house they were building.

Larry started school in the old high building on Main Street and graduated from high school in 1964. Shortly after, he went to work for the Bureau of Reclamation on a surveying team.

In October 1966, after receiving a draft notice, he and Callie Voss joined the Navy. He served as a sonar man and spent his service years on the destroyer USS Henry W. Tucker during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in December 1969, shortly after Christmas.

Larry married Mary Babcock on Nov. 25, 1970. Mary’s son Leon was joined by Adam in 1976 and Dale in 1980, to complete the family. Larry always had a hobby: Camping, hiking, biking, photography and, later, traveling.

Larry retired from the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District on Feb. 1, 2011, after about 28 years as an electrician.

Larry and Mary moved to Leon and Merrie Kay’s farm on July 1, 2011, to be close to family. He was diagnosed with progressive primary aphasia dementia in November and spoke very little after that time.

Larry moved on May 8, 2019, to Ashley Manor. Between the caregivers there and those from Heart of Hospice, Larry received excellent, loving care.

Larry passed away Feb. 12, 2020, with Mary at his side.

Larry was preceded in death by his son Dale, brother Ronnie, sister Sheryl and sister-in-law Patricia Suko. He is survived by his wife Mary; sons Leon (Merrie Kay) Alzola of Washougal and Adam (Angela) Jeske of Rodéo, California; granddaughter Briana (Brent) Lindquist of Anacortes, Washington; brother-in-law Fred (Karen) Babcock of Lakeside, Oregon; sister Donna Kugler of Benton City, Washington; sister-in-law Helen Jeske of Spokane, Washington and brother-in-law Gary Suko of Rathdrum, Idaho.

Donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 520 Pike St., Suite 1075, Seattle, WA 98101, in Larry’s name.