Frederick "Pepper" Eisenhardt
Frederick (Pepper) Earl Eisenhardt was born May 2, 1941 in Fargo, ND to Fred and Helen (Warner) Eisenhardt. He was raised in the Kelso, Grandin area. During his childhood, he helped his father on the farm, and with the Massey Ferguson and Behlen Steel businesses. He graduated from University Minnesota Northwest School of Agriculture High School in Crookston, MN where he was active in football and basketball. In 1961, he married Karen Johnson at First Presbyterian church in Fargo. Pepper attended NDSU and met lifelong friends while living in Bison Court.
He was employed with Alloway Manufacturing and then ventured in several career opportunities. He was on the board and coach for FM football, an active member of the Civil Air Patrol, and supporter of NDSU athletics. He was an active member of Hope Lutheran’s North Campus.
Pepper loved playing cards with his family and was very competitive in all events, including his golf games. He also was a great ballroom dancer. After retirement, Pepper was very active. He attended all grandchildren’s activities and Bison games. Pepper enjoyed playing golf and travelling. Breakfast, dinner, and evening meals with his special friends was his weekly entertainment after retirement.
Pepper is survived by his two children, Nicole (Tom) Odegard of Georgetown, MN; Kurt (Merideth) Eisenhardt, Hudsonville, MI; grandchildren Jacob Odegard, Jadyn Odegard (his favorite granddaughter), and Carter Eisenhardt; siblings, Tim Eisenhardt, Kelso, ND; Gale (Allan) Peterson, Dallas, TX; Lise (Brian) Waller, Wayzata, MN; nieces, nephews, and cousins; his best friend, Melvern Anderson and family; special friend, Joyce Gilbraith and family; and many other loved ones. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Leah; and parents, Fred and Helen.
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Such a joyful man who made me laugh and smile the whole time I was around him! Will be missed so much I know he is with or lord and savior God rest his soul!
I will always remember your laugh , your smile and your friendship. I’m glad that you taught me how to golf and I will always cherish all the memories we had together. I’m glad that you let me call you my grandpa. I love you
Our sympathy to hear of Pepper’s death. Always remember his pleasant smile and manners.
A dear friend and supporter of Apex-his vibrant energy will be missed by us all.
Always greeted with a smile and with a “Good Morning Neighbor,” Pepper often provide solid advice – might have been about politics, grass fertilizer, or even snow removal but most often it was followed with a bit of humor! Pepper was such a positive person. His laugh was infectious as was his love for life. A good man for sure. I will miss my next door neighbor to the south.
He always had a smile. He was a kind and caring gentleman. He had class RIP my friend.
Always remember your smile and laugh. We had some fun times during the beet harvest. I’ll miss running into you.
RIP my friend. Great memories
My family was blessed to have the Eisenhardts – Pepper, Karen, Leah, Nicole and Kurt – as next door neighbors growing up on Willow Road in Fargo. So many memories come flooding back when I think of Mr Eisenhardt, but perhaps the most lasting were the hours and hours of playing football in the backyard with Mr Eisenhardt tirelessly tossing the football to the neighbor kids. That simple act of kindness and generosity still means a lot to me today.
Karen,
My heart is with you at this time of loss. I know that there is a gentle peace that will come, but moving at this time through the sorrow, takes love and deep faith – one I know you have. The two of you brought such love and joy to one another. This joy radiated to all those that knew you and had the opportunity to be part of your lives. I am reminded of the Native American proverb: “Death is not the putting out of the light, but rather extinguishing the lamp, for the dawn has come.” You are in my heart and prayers. Hugs
To my golfing buddy we will miss you on the golf course. I will have a little extra cash in my pocket this spring without our bets. Thank you for all of the wonderful times we had golfing and gambling.
I worked for Allied Adjusters in a small office on 13th Ave. about 10 yrs ago. Pepper was in and out of the building there, working for someone. He would stop and chat with me once in a while and also bring me ice cream from Diary Queen. For someone I hardly knew, he brightened my days. I will always fondly remember that.
Pepper was my former next door neighbor on 10th Street and we did Breakfast once per week for several years. I considered him a dear friend and we’re texting one another up until two days before his passing away. Loretta and I will miss him dearly. Rest In Peace.
Our sympathy to Pepper’s family.
Pepper was an asset to our neighborhood. We will miss his sense of humor, friendly smile, and caring for others.
Pepper was my best friend and neighbour and we will miss him. We had breakfast together at least once a week. He loved to go out and have a steak dinner on special occasions. We were texting each other often and we touched base two days before him passing. Loretta and I wish to extend our condolences to the family.
A kind and generous man, his smile always lit up the room.
Pepper, The Lord has gained a great person. positive, creative, and always with a smile. We have lost a good person. God Bless You and Your Family.
A great friend and former neighbour. So sad!
Pepper is my godfather. In April 1959 my parents chose him as my sponsor at my baptism at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Hillsboro. To me, nobody has a more winning smile and he could always make a room come alive! So missed. Much love to all.
Pepper was a special person whose glass was always half full. I have been privileged to have known Pepper since the late 60’s when I worked for Pepper and his Dad at Alloway. His spirits bright light may have left our world but I am sure is glowing brightly in the next. My prayers are with you, his family as you celebrate his life
as only Pepper would have you do…..
To Pepper’s Family,
This morning, after watching the latest briefing from the White House on the coronavirus, it is my sad regret that I won’t be attending Pepper’s memorial today, March 17th. According to the those in charge, it is imperative to not be in groups of more than 10.
We have know Pepper and his family for so many years. He and they were a huge beginning on how we got our feet on the ground when we moved to Fargo. One of the first part time jobs my husband was awarded while my husband was going to college, was working at Alloway. The family permitted my husband to use their company space, in the evenings, to remodel our old van into a camper. We knew their small children and watched them grow up and learned of their children’s health issues and good stories and their loss. Pepper got us on some ventures that educated us on how to introduce products to others. We still have a bottle of one product in my cabinet, I wanted to tell him that so many times when we saw him, but seemed to start our conversations with family questions instead. Pepper had sales to others mastered, we always joked the he could sell the dirty shirt off his back. Pepper had charisma that started with his smile. No matter where we saw him or when or for what reason, he had that smile.
I feel a void in not able to be there to say goodbye and to see Pepper’s family again. I am so sorry for your loss.
Oh dear cousin Pepper. Where do I start? How about……”Best dancer ever!!!”
And yes you made a dull party Rock and Roll when you entered the room.
That smile! The endless fun vibe! That laugh!!
I was lucky to have you as my cousin.
I can only imagine the party that is going in Heaven right now.
Sending hugs your way.
Miss you Miss you
Karen, Nicole, Kurt,
It’s been such a long time since I’ve seen you guys. I just wanted to send my love and let you know what an impression Pepper made on me, especially as a comedian. 🙂
If ever there was a person who energized a room it was him. Hearing his voice in the photo montage made me choke up. I remember his enthusiasm, his kindness, his good sense when he was teaching us something, and naturally his a good sense of humor. Truly, truly infectious.
He had such a positive way of connecting with people that is extremely rare. He was a guy’s guy, a salesman‘s salesman, and an awesome father. With his amazing, beautiful, kind, and sweet wife Karen, what a couple!
Jill and I absolutely loved the time we spent with you guys at your cabin and ours. I don’t think there were any of our “parent’s friends“ that we looked forward to getting together with more. Rose Lake, the parties, the Jetskies, telling ghost stories in the bow cabin of the boat…. We kids could not have had it better.
To your whole family, I thank you for the wonderful memories and wish you all the very best in these days to come.
Just watched the video….Nice work….showing a good life. RIP Pepper.
We feel privileged to be the group of lifelong Bison Court friends. In 1961 we greeted Pepper and Karen when they moved into Bison Court as newly weds. NDSU was home for all of us for the next four years. We enjoyed wonderful friendships which we cherish and continue today. We will miss Pepper but not forget him because our memories will always include him and his outgoing personality.
Denny & Donalu Diestler, Karen and George Page, Charlie (Fran) Page, Julie & Larry Doth