Gerald Ayers Eisler,
died Aug. 23, 2010 at the North Shore Care Center in Grand Marais. He was born in 1921 to George and Laura Ayers Eisler of Reston, Manitoba, Canada. Jerry, the youngest of five children, grew up on a farm in rural Reston. As a young farm boy, Jerry, alongside his father and brothers, learned to work the land and it was on his family’s farm that his love for agriculture took hold of him.
Upon completion of his high school education, Jerry attended Manitoba Teacher Training College, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in education, and later became an educator of middle school aged children in the subjects of science and mathematics.
During World War II, Jerry enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force becoming a sergeant and an Air Force navigator. Due to his previous teaching experience, Jerry was also an instructor of navigation for newly enlisted men.
After the war, Jerry moved to Winnipeg to attend the University of Manitoba where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture. It was there in Winnipeg where he met his first wife, Jean.
Jerry and Jean moved from Winnipeg to the town of Holland, Manitoba where Jerry began his career in the agricultural extension field. From there they moved to the towns of Tolna, North Dakota; Hallock, Minnesota; and, along with their two young daughters, made their final move to Grand Marais where he served as Cook County Extension Agent from 1957 until his retirement in 1981. As county extension agent, Jerry was known for his conscientious service as well as for the strength of the Cook County 4-H program while under his leadership. Also during this time he earned, through the University of Minnesota, the title of Associate Professor of Agriculture.
An active community member, Jerry served for many years on various committees for the Grand Marais Lions Club. He was also an active member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ and for several years served on the Board of Deacons. In his later years, Jerry joined the Grand Marais Masons where he began as a steward and worked his way up through the “chairs.”
In June of 1994, after 12 years of living a widower’s life, Jerry married Betty Miller of Thunder Bay, Ontario and the two of them spent their eightyear marriage living in Grand Marais until her death in 2002.
Jerry is survived by his two daughters, Sharon Poynter of Champlin, Minnesota and Pam Cathcart of Aspen, Colorado, brother Irwin Eisler of Elliot Lake, Ontario and grandsons Zachary Poynter and Cole and Joey Cathcart.
To all who knew him, Jerry will be fondly remembered for his warm heart and cheerful disposition. He will be sadly missed by his family and cherished friends.
Memorial service details will be forthcoming.
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