Eileen Greshik
September 12, 1917 - March 28, 2008
Obituary
Eileen E. Greshik, 90, of Wimbledon, ND departed this earthly life to meet her Lord on March 28, 2008 at Central Dakota Village. Eileen was born September 12, 1917 at Gackle, ND, the daughter of Theodore and Susan (Gilbert) Roberts. She grew up in Jamestown and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1935. She worked as a clerk for the County Nurse after graduation from high school.
During the 1920's and early 1930's she lived in various foster homes in the Jamestown area. From an early age, foster children were expected to work in the homes where they lived to pay for their room and board. Later in life Eileen spoke about the abuses of foster children to various community groups and she became an advocate for the rights of foster children.
She married Leonard Greshik on September 14, 1935 in Cooperstown, N.D. They resided in Jamestown and later moved to Georgetown, MN, and then to Hunter, ND where he worked as a machinist and mechanic. In 1940, they moved to Minneapolis, MN where her husband was a Foreman for Minneapolis Moline. In 1945, they moved back to ND and in 1950 they moved to Wimbledon, where she has resided ever since. Her husband died in 1965.
After her husband's sudden death, she took on many new roles, which included business woman, college student, volunteer, community supporter and she continued the most important role in her life, nurturing her family.
Eileen's home community of Wimbledon was very important to her. She served as the Park Commissioner on the City Council for a number of years and also served as a City Council Member. She was the first woman to serve in either of these roles. During her tenure as the Park Commissioner, the Wimbledon Park was further developed and the tennis court was constructed. She was also a member of the Wimbledon Improvement Corporation and a member of the "17er Club". She and Kathleen Blinsky were instrumental in developing and publishing the original Wimbledon Alert newsletter, which they published for many years.
The Lord had a very special place in Eileen's life. She was a member of the St. Boniface Church for sixty years. She sang in the church choir for 58 years and also taught catechism for many of those years. She held many different offices in the St. Boniface Alter Society and was Cemetery Director of the Church for four years.
Music remained a large part of her life. She was a member of the J-Notes, (a Jamestown musical group). In high school she and the choir took a trip to Chicago to sing in the play "HMS Pinafore". A highlight in her musical career was singing with Peggy Lee, who also had lived in Wimbledon.
Eileen earned many awards over her years of service to her community and other organizations. She was recognized for 35 years of Volunteer Services at the ND State Hospital. She received the True Grit Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service to her community. She also volunteered at Central Dakota Village and received recognition as Volunteer of the Year. The Disabled American Veterans recognized her for Outstanding Generosity and Devotion to their organization.
Eileen loved her family, friends and community and she shared her kindness and generosity to all who knew her. She was well known for making candies, baked goods, jellies and canned goods. She loved to share these gifts with everyone. She would also play Mrs. Santa Claus for the kindergarten and first graders at the Wimbledon School. Also, stray animals looking for handouts were never turned away from her back door. Giving was much more important than receiving to Eileen.
Eileen is survived by four daughters, Susan (Tom) Brandau, Buchanan, N.D, Yvonne (Loran) Soleim and Cheryl (Robert) Brown, both Jamestown, Mardi Martinson, Madison, WI; four sons, Lynn (Mary), Spiritwood Lake, N.D. James (Kathryn), San Marcos, CA, George (Debbie), Wimbledon, N.D. and Ted, West Fargo, N.D, 20 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 7 great, great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her beloved sister, Helen Baker and a brother, Harvey Roberts.
The funeral service will be at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday April 2, 2008 in the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Wimbledon, ND, with Father Steven Meyer, officiating.
The interment will be made in the St. Boniface Cemetery, Wimbledon, ND.
Prayer Service will be at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday @ the funeral home Visitation - 9:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M. Tuesday @ the funeral home