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Wesley Roy Eitzen © Enid News and Eagle 11-19-2020 Submitted by: Glenn
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November 18, 1926 - November 17, 2020
Wesley Roy Eitzen was born on a farm just north of Homestead, Okla., on Nov. 18, 1926. He departed this life to meet Jesus on Nov. 17, 2020. On the farm, Wes did the needed chores, including plowing behind a team of horses. He also roamed the creeks trapping and hunting small game. The family attended the South Mennonite Brethren Church near Fairview, where he committed his life to Jesus as a young boy. He was a graduate of Fairview High School Class of 1944. He attended Tabor College for a single semester before he entered the services of the U.S. Army, obtaining the rank of sergeant. During this brief time at Tabor, he met the love of his life, Lauretta Martens of Buhler, Kan. They were married on May 24, 1948. Of this marriage to his "first wife of 63 years", two sons were born - Leland Mark and Philip Dean.
Wes and Lauretta took a leap of faith in 1952, and left Buhler for a new adventure in Fort Wayne, Ind., to go to work for Brotherhood Life Insurance Company. After 10 years in Indiana, the urge to move his family back home to Fairview became a reality. At that time, he put a sign in the front yard letting everyone know that he was now the owner of Eitzen Insurance. He incorporated his little agency in 1966, Eitzen Agency Inc. Wes had a heart for the church and served the ministry needs of many churches in Northwest Oklahoma, selling Brotherhood Mutual Insurance. He retired from his adventure in 2008, however, in 2018, he was only the second recipient to ever receive the Brotherhood Mutual Agent Legacy award. It was noted at the ceremony, too, that he was the only BMIC agent to have ever personally met all seven presidents of the company.
Wes was quite active in the community by being in Fairview Chamber of Commerce, was on the Fairview Diamond Jubilee committee, and was a Fairview city councilman. He had been an active member of the Fairview Lions Club for over 55 years (president 1975-76). He was active in FHS Sports Boosters, as well as served on the "chain gang" for 35 years. He was an OSU Master Gardener, and was instrumental in the planting of many trees in Fairview's parks and hospital. While he loved serving churches in his day to day work, he also loved serving his own church, the Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church, in many capacities. Both he and Lauretta were youth sponsors for many years, as well as serving as deacons. He taught Sunday school to many age groups. Recently, he just retired from serving as an usher - he loved to meet and greet people and tried to make them feel comfortable and welcome while attending. Often, Wes would enlighten you with a quirky joke or poem. It's been said that he was the author of the book "1001 Jokes That Should Never Be Told."
Wes was preceded in death by his wife Lauretta K. Eitzen; a son Leland and wife Naomi; parents A. B. & Rubena Eitzen; siblings Kenneth Lee Eitzen, Louis Gene Eitzen, and Mary Elois Eitzen Braun. Survivors are a son, Philip and wife Tamara of Fairview; five grandchildren - Jennifer (Billie) Cabral of Benton, Kan.; Jessica Eitzen of Enid; Erika (Tyler) Tate of Enid, Erin (Jared) Cotgreave of Glenpool; and Evan (Emily) Eitzen of Fairview. Seven great-grandchildren - Korbin Snesrud, Ellie Cotgreave, Tripp Tate, Jordyn Cotgreave, Tucker Tate, Teagan Eitzen, and Jaxon Cotgreave; special friend Jewel Becker; many friends, nieces, nephews and extended family.
Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Pierce Funeral Home, 721 S. Main in Fairview, Okla. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, at the South Mennonite Brethren Cemetery with Pastor Travis Schmidt officiating.
Memorials can be made to the Young Life Foundation (www.younglife.org) and Fairview Regional Medical Center Foundation. Condolences may be made online at www.piercefuneralhomes.com.
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