Jean Eisele, 89, of Sioux Falls passed away on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, in Sioux Falls. Visitation with the family present was held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, at George Boom Funeral Home in Sioux Falls. His funeral service was at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, also at the funeral home. Burial will be held at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Teen Challenge or one’s choice in Jean’s name.
Jean Earl Eisele was born on Feb. 24, 1937, in Gillette, Wyo., to George Andrew Eisele and Mattie M. (Davis) Eisele. He was the second-born twin following the birth of his sister, June, and was born on their oldest brother, Jim’s, 17th birthday.
Jean was raised and attended school in Sheridan, Wyo., and graduated from Sheridan High School in 1955. As a young boy growing into manhood, while in Sheridan, he worked at the Cloverleaf Bakery and for his brother, William J. (Bill) Eisele, on his dairy.
Jean enlisted in the U.S. Army when he and a high school buddy together decided to join the service. Jean served the country he loved and completed his basic training in Colorado Springs, Colo. Jean was stationed in Korea and came home to his family safely.
In 1958, after Jean’s term in the Army, he married his high school sweetheart, M. Jean (Jeannie) Gunter and attended Sheridan Junior College. Their first child was born in Sheridan, and Jean went on to attend the University of Wyoming in Laramie and graduated in May 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. Jean and Jeannie’s second child was born in Laramie.
Jean worked for Pratt & Whitney in Connecticut, and they welcomed the birth of their third child. While living, working and raising his young family in Connecticut, Jean also pursued a double Master’s Degree in mathematics and engineering.
Jean and his young family then moved to Colorado, and he began working for Martin Marietta, which later merged with Lockheed Corporation to form Lockheed Martin. Jean obtained top secret clearance with this company in order to service government projects, which afforded Jean the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., as well as other parts of the country and world. Jean and Jeannie later divorced and remained friends.
Jean’s 50th birthday celebration with his siblings took place in Hollister, Calif., and due to Jean’s work ethic and commitment to his employer, he was unable to attend his very own birthday, which deeply disappointed him. Jean then was lucky enough to retire at the age of 57 in 1994 to enjoy life and play golf in the warmer climate of Arizona, where he met C. Sue McKenzie and fell in love again.
He was a devout Christian and attended Bible study and church on a regular basis. He was an avid golfer and loved the sport dearly and with his whole heart. If you were to enter into Jean’s home, the first thing you would notice was a golf club above his fireplace mantle. In his lifetime, Jean had five holes in one and many, many times shot in the low seventies.
Jean was a true gentleman, loved deeply, was very generous and had many talents, and could fix just about anything starting at radios at the age of 17 years. He was a devoted father to his daughters and a loving husband to his wife, Sue, whom he married on Jan. 2, 2000, in Arizona, and who survives him along with her children, Keli Kae Davis, Kari Lynn McKenzie, and their families; Kris Douglas McKenzie and Kevin B. McKenzie, who passed away on Feb. 1, 2026.
Jean is also survived by his daughters, Diana Eisele and Carrie (Larry) Ward, his grandson, Darryl Touseull, and his daughters, Giavanna and Malina; and grandson Matthew (Joanne) Vesley, and his extended family.
Jean is terribly missed by his surviving twin sister, June (Eisele) Warren, and youngest brother, Allen (Linda) Eisele, along with numerous nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
Jean will be missed by the entire Eggebraaten family he loved so dearly, and he enjoyed his times being with them and being their brother-in-law.
Jean is preceded in death by his infant son, Hans Dieter Eisele; his parents; and his siblings, James Vines, Nellie Rose (Eisele) Watson, George (Spud) Eisele and William J. Eisele.
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date in Arizona.
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