Ted Eslinger
Ted Eslinger officially retired from farming and ranching Jan. 13th, 2022, at the age of 83.
Theodore Monroe Eslinger was born on his uncle’s farm NE of Elgin, ND on Dec 11, 1938, to August and Ella (Martel) Eslinger. He grew up on his farm one mile North of Elgin and graduated from Elgin High School in 1956. He played various sports including boxing, basketball, track, and played guard on the Elgin Fighting Dutchmen 1955 National Champion 9-man football team that had outscored their season opponents 292- 19.
After a short enlistment in the National Guard, he was honorably discharged due to a heart murmur. He then attended both Dickinson State University and North Dakota State University.
In 1965 he married Catherine Ketterling of Heil, ND. They would have three children Dara (1968), Mark (1971), and Neal (1973). A brief time after their marriage they lived in Bismarck and then headed West to Billings, MT. Ted worked at JI Case Company and Cathy was a nurse at Deaconess Hospital. While living in Billings he enjoyed hunting and horse riding in the mountains with his friends. Ted once bought an unbroken horse named Fritsy that they were unable to load, so he decided to break him by riding the 20 miles back to Billings. Fritsy would become the safe and secure horse that all three kids would learn how to confidently ride and enjoy as they grew up in Elgin.
While living in Montana, Ted and his friends were in a film called “Little Big Man” starring Dustin Hoffman. They were soldiers in the 7th Cavalry and acted in scenes involving the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He was very proud and thankful to have the opportunity to be in it. When the movie was annually broadcasted on TV, the kids had great anticipation of the scene where he would point to himself riding in and out of view or trying to follow his location during the battle scenes.
In 1972, Ted had the opportunity to take over the family farm in Elgin, ND and pursue his passion in life - Farming, Ranching, and Hard Work. Although often complaining about having to fix everything, you would always find him working on various projects motivated by the challenge to simply figure things out. He rarely was defeated in making something work again or better than it had in the first place. Over the years, many neighbors and friends would seek out assistance for both his developed expertise and his willingness to take on a challenging project. Although Ted didn’t have the newest equipment, what he did have, he fixed, modified, and improved to the best of his ability to get the job done.
Ted also partnered with lifelong friend Mel Wegner to form a farm machinery implement business. They built and sold many Wil-Rich field cultivators and Wishek discs to farmers and ranchers throughout North Dakota. It was a family business that included the children from both families having designated assembly tasks.
In the 1980s, when continental breeds of cattle were becoming popular, Ted started raising Salers cattle to which he found unmatched calving ease, hybrid vigor, growth, and longevity. Everything in his operation was based on CASE tractors and Salers cattle.
While the children attended school, Ted served on the Elgin Public School Board, finishing his term as President. In the last couple years of his life, Ted saw the commitment his wife Cathy had for him in the care that she provided. Care that allowed him to live his remaining days on the farm he grew up on. Ted was blessed with nine grandchildren whom he deeply loved.
Ted is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Cathy, Elgin, ND; children Dara (Bob) Miske, Mark (Rita) Eslinger, and Neal (Deb) Eslinger; grandchildren Wyatt, Micayla, and Ceara Miske, Aspen, Jaden, Calen, Alea, and Tia Eslinger; siblings Jan Prindle and Henry (JoAnn) Eslinger; and in-laws Darlene Grimm, Allegra Bloom, Barb Stueck, Harriet Levorsen, Mary (Don) Underwood, Phil (Tracey) Ketterling, Tom Ketterling, Tim (Sandi) Ketterling and Marty (Phyllis) Ketterling and numerous nephews and nieces.
Ted was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings August, Cindy, and Judy Eslinger, and his grandson Isaac Eslinger.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30am MT Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elgin, ND with Pastor John Amundson, officiating. Cards can be mailed to Cathy Eslinger, 6850 Hwy 49, Elgin, ND 58533.