Ike was born July 27, 1947, in Kingsport, TN, to Maurice and Gertrude "Judy" Eixenberger. When he was two, they moved briefly to Belle Fourche, SD, before settling in Sturgis, SD. He graduated from Sturgis High School in 1965.
In 1970, he married Glenda Brown. The two of them welcomed their son, Jason. They were subsequently divorced. In 1978, he married Lois Olsen. Together they welcomed three sons, Lonnie, Corey, and Ryan. They later divorced in 2007.
Ike moved to the Denver area in 1975 where he worked as a fluid sealing specialist for several companies throughout Colorado and Oregon before retiring from Industrial Gasket of Colorado in 1990. After retirement, Ike moved his family back to Sturgis, SD, and later Newell, SD, where he resided until his death.
He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting both deer and pheasant. Ike was also a skilled fisherman of walleye, trout, and catfish. Most weekends, when weather permitted and even when it didn't, he could be found out on the lake or beside a stream, fishing pole in hand. His prized rainbow trout caught at Canyon Lake could be spotted immediately upon entering his living room.
Ike wasn't just a gifted hunter and fisherman, he was also an adept mechanic. There wasn't anything he couldn't fix. His mechanical work was meticulous, detail oriented, and precise. Many people benefitted from his handy work. As a young man, these skills went hand in hand with his love of racing cars. Throughout his life, Ike could also be found down at the pool hall, or bowling alley and his boys loved to tag along and watch their dad hone his skills. Growing up, his boys could find him in front of the TV on Friday nights watching boxing and on Sundays, watching the Denver Broncos.
Ike was a highly respected man and was looked upon as a father figure to many of his extended family members, always available for advice, a straight-shooter, and never one to waste words. He was an honest and humble man, and full of integrity. Ike was the essence of stability, one never had to worry while under his care.
Above all else, Ike loved his grandchildren, and he lived for their every visit, and the hugs that followed. He was quick to tease and joke with them, toss a ball around, and they looked forward to bringing out his shopping cart full of toys. He never forgot a birthday and loved to spoil his grandkids at Christmas.
James "Ike" Eixenberger, 70, Newell, passed away Saturday, July 21, 2018, at his home.
Ike is survived by his sons, Jason (Wendi) Eixenberger, Lonnie (Angela) Olsen, Corey (Kimberly) Eixenberger, and Ryan (Cody) Eixenberger; 16 grandchildren; siblings, John (Rose) Eixenberger, Sturgis, Edward Eixenberger, Spearfish, and Mary Ellen Murray, Sturgis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Maurice and Gertrude "Judy" Eixenberger; brothers, Frank, Jerry, Ron, and Max Eixenberger; sister, Annette Eixenberger; and his faithful companion of 14 years, Dandy, his springer spaniel.
Memorial services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, July 26, 218, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel. Private family inurnment services will be at a later date.
A memorial has been established in his name with the Step Outside Program through the Sturgis Police Athletic League so kids can go fishing.

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