1969
Keith
2025
Keith Jeske
December 31, 1969 — November 7, 2025
On November 7, 2025, Rev. Keith Warren Jeske, 74, of Rockford, IL, passed into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Keith was born on October 22, 1951, in Alliance, Nebraska and grew up in Alamo, Texas, the son of Glen and Delores Jeske. Throughout his life he touched many lives with his intelligence, gentleness, generosity, and humility.
Keith graduated from Pharr San Juan Alamo High School as a National Merit Scholar Finalist. He was active in 4H for many years. He graduated from Pan American University (now University of Texas, RGV) with a major in physics and math. He participated in the Cooperative Education program at NASA Space Center in Houston, TX during his college years. He went on to earn a Master of Theology from Dallas Seminary in 1979. He was ordained by the Evangelical Free Church of America.
He married Tricia Johnson of Edinburg, Texas in 1974. He served as pastor of the Swiss Mennonite Church in Alsen, ND and the Pine City Evangelical Free Church in Pine City, MN. He taught at Rockford Christian High School for 26 years, starting the robotics and engineering programs. He was a devoted husband, loving father, and dedicated PoP-PoP to his 6 grandchildren.
He was known for his good humor and enjoyed Agatha Christie novels, math and logic puzzles, gardening, flying kites, and cooking, including his specialty of Tex-Mex food. He carried 2 pens in his shirt pocket and often wore big Texas belt buckles. He was always willing to help, and when someone asked him for prayer, would often stop right there to pray without delay. He was an active member of Maywood Evangelical Free Church, serving as elder, church chairman, and Sunday School teacher. Highlights of his life were the five trips to Russia with Slavic Gospel Association to train pastors. He also enjoyed being a Physics Advanced Placement reader for the College Board.
He is survived by his wife, Tricia Jeske and his children, Meagan (Carl) Buch, Matthew Jeske, Shannon (Ed) Englert, and his grandchildren, William, Becca, Cora, Edward, Isaac, and Janey, as well as his mother Delores Jeske. He is survived by three sisters, Lola Jeske, Marilyn (Paul) Wilson, Anita (Galen) Jones, and one brother, Nolan (Delores) Jeske. He was preceded in death by his father, Glen Jeske, and his brother, Jerry Jeske.
A memorial service will be held at Maywood Evangelical Free Church, Rockford, IL, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rio Grande Bible Ministries, Edinburg, TX or Slavic Gospel Association, Loves Park, IL.
We will miss him greatly, and we thank God for allowing him to be part of our lives.
Stateline Cremations is assisting the family, 6204 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111. www.statelinecremations.com
Keith graduated from Pharr San Juan Alamo High School as a National Merit Scholar Finalist. He was active in 4H for many years. He graduated from Pan American University (now University of Texas, RGV) with a major in physics and math. He participated in the Cooperative Education program at NASA Space Center in Houston, TX during his college years. He went on to earn a Master of Theology from Dallas Seminary in 1979. He was ordained by the Evangelical Free Church of America.
He married Tricia Johnson of Edinburg, Texas in 1974. He served as pastor of the Swiss Mennonite Church in Alsen, ND and the Pine City Evangelical Free Church in Pine City, MN. He taught at Rockford Christian High School for 26 years, starting the robotics and engineering programs. He was a devoted husband, loving father, and dedicated PoP-PoP to his 6 grandchildren.
He was known for his good humor and enjoyed Agatha Christie novels, math and logic puzzles, gardening, flying kites, and cooking, including his specialty of Tex-Mex food. He carried 2 pens in his shirt pocket and often wore big Texas belt buckles. He was always willing to help, and when someone asked him for prayer, would often stop right there to pray without delay. He was an active member of Maywood Evangelical Free Church, serving as elder, church chairman, and Sunday School teacher. Highlights of his life were the five trips to Russia with Slavic Gospel Association to train pastors. He also enjoyed being a Physics Advanced Placement reader for the College Board.
He is survived by his wife, Tricia Jeske and his children, Meagan (Carl) Buch, Matthew Jeske, Shannon (Ed) Englert, and his grandchildren, William, Becca, Cora, Edward, Isaac, and Janey, as well as his mother Delores Jeske. He is survived by three sisters, Lola Jeske, Marilyn (Paul) Wilson, Anita (Galen) Jones, and one brother, Nolan (Delores) Jeske. He was preceded in death by his father, Glen Jeske, and his brother, Jerry Jeske.
A memorial service will be held at Maywood Evangelical Free Church, Rockford, IL, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rio Grande Bible Ministries, Edinburg, TX or Slavic Gospel Association, Loves Park, IL.
We will miss him greatly, and we thank God for allowing him to be part of our lives.
Stateline Cremations is assisting the family, 6204 Forest Hills Rd., Loves Park, IL 61111. www.statelinecremations.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Keith Jeske, please visit our flower store.
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