Gordon Rodney Esbeck

Gordon Rodney Esbeck

Tipton

Gordon Rodney Esbeck, DVM, 93, of Tipton, took his step into eternity on Friday, July 15, 2022, while under the care of Prairie Hills Assisted Living. Memorial services will be held on Monday, July 25, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church in Tipton with Pastors Jay Amundson and Kerri Sandusky, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Tipton Masonic Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton. A memorial fund has been established for the United Methodist Church in Tipton and the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa. Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com.

Gordon was born on Dec. 8, 1928, in rural Elk Horn, Iowa. He was the son of John William and Sena Hansen Esbeck. Gordon graduated from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War as a First Lieutenant. Gordon was united in marriage to Mary Lou Armstrong on Sept. 9, 1951 in Ames, Iowa. Together they raised four sons, Craig, William, John and Paul. Mary Lou died of cancer on Sept. 24, 1992. Gordon was then united in marriage to Janice Hall and together Gordon and Jan continued to make their home in Tipton.

Gordon served his communities in many ways. He served as president of SEMCO School Board, member of the Gilman City Council, president of the Gilman Lions Club, leader of Cub and Boy Scout Troops, prganizer of the Gilman Flying Club, member of the Tipton Community School Board, served as mayor of Tipton, president of the Tipton Rotary Club, president of FAMSCO, a humanitarian subsidiary of Rotary District 6000; director of Citizens Bank, president of Eastern Iowa Veterinary Medicine Association, member of ISU Alumni Association, board member, Danish Immigrant Museum, director of Tipton Economic and Development Corporation, member of Iowa State University Order of the Knoll, board member of the Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity and member of the American Legion, Post 4098. Gordon was proud to be a full-blooded Dane and a veterinarian. He loved to fly airplanes and early in his life he earned his private pilot’s license and never lost the love of flying. He was an adventurer and was fortunate to have travelled to many countries. He also loved working with wood and was an accomplished woodworker and carpenter.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Janice Esbeck; his sons, Craig Esbeck, Willian (Teresa) Esbeck and John (Mary Ann) Esbeck; grandchildren, Alecia Esbeck, April Esbeck, Erica Fitzgerald, Dane Esbeck, Mary Esbeck, Willy Okola, Edward Esbeck and Derrick Esbeck; and six great-grandchildren, Jackson, Maryam and Keegan Martin, Alexa and Hallie Fitzgerald and Brennan Esbeck. Jan and Gordon hosted three exchange students, Siren Tonnesen from Norway and Kasper Esbech and Lasse Esbech from Denmark, and Willie Okola lived with them for five years while attending Iowa School for the Deaf.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Lou; siblings, Ramona, Leland, Marjorie, Howard, Donald and Sally; and son, Paul Esbeck.