Allan Essler

Minot

Allan Leroy Essler, 87, of Minot, and prior to that life-long resident of Kenmare, ND passed away on Sunday, August 11, 2024, at Trinity Hospital with his family by his side.

Allan was born on August 25, 1936, in Kenmare to Peter and Minnie (Traeger) Essler. He was raised on a farm north of Kenmare where he worked with his dad on a dairy operation. Minnie passed away on August 5, 1940. Peter married Allan’s second Mom, Bertha (Bert) Siebert, on August 12, 1942.

On December 16, 1961, Allan married the love of his life Twila Jensen in Kenmare where they spent their entire life together and raised their five children, Kim, Jerry, Lori, Paul and Sharon. Allan was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was raised and competed as a true Kenmare “Honker” and graduated from Kenmare High School in 1954. Allan also enjoyed cheering for the Honkers while his children and grandchildren attended high school there and even after all had graduated. Allan never missed a game and made a point of attending every event.

In addition to running the family farm, Allan carried on his father’s occupation as agent for Essler’s Farmers Union Insurance for 40 years until his retirement in January 1999, when he passed it on to Jerry. The Essler family business has continued on now with a fourth generation Essler agent, Jonathan. Allan and Twila spent winters in Casa Grande, AZ for several years after his retirement.

Allan always felt fortunate to have lived all his life in a hunting and fishing paradise. Early on he had always hunted with his friends and with the marriage to Twila he gained a father-in-law Oluf (Ole) Jensen who was an avid hunter. As they started to raise their family it became even more important to take the kids out hunting. Allan said that hunting was always a good way to get away from the hustle and stress of everyday life. Allan was inducted into the Goosefest Goosehunters Hall of Fame in October 2000 and helped with various roles on the Goosefest Committee over the many years. For several years, Allan was the assigned hunting guide for Minnesota Vikings’ celebrity attendees Dave Osborn and Bud Grant.

When Allan wasn’t working, hunting, or fishing he was also active in the community throughout his full life in Kenmare. He served on the board and as president of the Association of Commerce and Lions Club. He has also served on the Kenmare Country Club board and the Kenmare City Council. At St. Agnes Church, he served as a councilman, lector, song leader and usher. Allan had a strong faith throughout his life and always encouraged his family to carry this on. He earned several awards with Farmers Union Insurance and spent many great times with Twila on company trips and also served on the Agent’s Board.

Allan had a witty sense of humor and infectious laugh. Always known as a “really good guy,” he was known by many throughout the northwest corner of North Dakota. His kids were always amazed at how many people recognized him at sporting events and in Minot.

Allan is survived by: Wife of 62+ years, Twila; children, Kim (Sandra) Essler and their children Ryan (Kimberly) Essler and Randy (Carrie) Essler, Jerry (Anita/Sam) ) Essler and their children Meghan (Trevor) Herrmann and Jonathan (Akira) Essler, Lori (Scott) Roesler, Paul (Stacia) Essler and their children Sydney, Nick and Abby, Sharon (Greg) Schindel and their children

Ashlyn and Zach; sisters, Joyce McWilliam and Maureen Sweet; four great grandchildren and two more on the way; sisters-in-law Erma Martinson and Jeanice Shipton; and several special nieces and nephews.

Allan was preceded in death by his parents, Peter, Minnie and Bertha Essler; mother and father-in-law, Louise and Ole Jensen; sisters, Gertrude Wheeler and Lucille Chesvick; grandsons, Jesse Simon and Jordan Simon (Lori); granddaughter, Robyn Essler (Kim); sisters-in-law, Arlene Haaser, Ellen Lindberg; and nine brothers-in-law who he shared countless laughs with.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, August 16, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Kenmare.

Interment: Lakeview Cemetery, Kenmare, ND. Visitation: Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Kenmare. The service will be livestreamed for the public to view and can be accessed by going to the Thompson-Larson Funeral home website: www.thompsonlarson.com.

Those wishing to sign the online register and share memories may access the online obituaries section at (www.thompsonlarson.com).

Published by The Minot Daily News, August 14, 2024.