Geraldine Eslick Obituary (1927 - 2018)

Geraldine Mae Crouse Eslick, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away into the loving arms of Jesus on Sunday, April 15, 2018, just a few days short of her 91st birthday. Geri, as many knew her, was born in Visalia, CA April 18, 1927, to Ralph & Rhea Crouse. Geri grew up on the family farm, attended schools in the Ivanhoe and Visalia area, and graduated from Visalia High School. She continued her education at the College of the Sequoias in Visalia and Multnomah School of the Bible in Portland, OR, where her love for Jesus was deepened to serve others throughout her life. Returning to the San Joaquin Valley, she married Bob Eslick, the love of her life for over 66 years. After the birth of their first daughter, they settled in San Mateo, CA, for 20 years. In 1972 the family moved to Placerville,CA and four years later relocated to Escondido, where she and Bob lived for 39 years until moving to northern CA in 2014. Geri's love for children extended beyond her own. She was a Sunday School Superintendent (First United Presbyterian Church, San Mateo; Escondido United Methodist Church); and a daycare provider where she nurtured numerous children in her home. She loved gardening, especially roses, to the delight of passersby. She also enjoyed cooking and baking, especially for others. When asked how she made something taste so good, she would say, "It is made with love." She filled the house with music; whether it was playing the pump organ and piano, or rocking and singing to one of the kids, or all of us sitting around singing. In the background music by the Gaithers or Sons of the San Joaquin Band was often playing on the stereo. Another favorite pastime of Geri's was doing daily crossword puzzles. Even with all these activities, she still had time to care for others; she had a gift to make each of us feel like her favorite, and her laughter we will never forget. Geraldine, Geri, Grandma, Grandma Choo Choo, Aunt Geraldine, Great-Grandma, Jelly... whatever you chose to call her, she will be truly missed by us all. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Eslick, 2016, daughter, Dorene Eslick-Pelaw, 2012, and siblings Calvin Crouse, Dorothy White, David Crouse, Lois Crouse, and Carl Crouse. She is survived by her sister Eunice Frey of Woodlake, CA; daughter, Kathleen & husband George Waffle of Rocklin, CA; son, Russell & wife Debra Eslick of Lotus, CA; son, Ralph & wife Toni Eslick of Pleasanton, CA; daughter, Mary & husband Dale Moore of Midlothian, VA; daughter Joanie & husband Rich Stubbs of Temecula, CA; daughter Melissa & husband Bob Murphey of Santa Ana, CA; 14 grandchildren: Jon & wife Tami Eslick of Rescue, CA, James Eslick of Placerville,CA, Amy & husband Carlos Fred of Redwood City, CA, Kathryn & husband Brandyn King of Minneapolis, MN, Courtney Taylor of San Mateo, CA, Sheri & husband Jacob Koder of Auburn, CA, Matthew & wife Laura Moore of Alexandria, VA, Dan Moore of Charlotte, NC, David Pelaw of Hillsboro, OR, Andrew Eslick of Redwood City,, CA, Ian & wife Leanne Stubbs of San Diego, CA, Nicholas Eslick of Pleasanton, CA, Jacob Stubbs of Temecula, CA, Robert Murphey of Santa Ana, CA; 9 great-grandchildren, Zachary Koder, Ezekiel Koder, Levi Koder, Cormac Moore, Waylon King, Alejandro Franco, Charles Fred, Helen Moore, and Hadley King; countless nieces, nephews, great-nieces, nephews, great-great nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, CA, 95620, on May 11, at 12:30 PM with arrival time by 12:00 noon. The Celebration of Life service is on Saturday, May 12, 2018, 11:00 AM: 180 Church, 5190 Front Street, Rocklin, CA 95677. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Huntington Disease Foundation in Geraldine's memory and to honor her beloved daughter-in-law, Debra.