Vergene Meta Eischen

Vergene Meta Eischen, a resident of Cornelius, Oregon, died on May 28, 2022 in Hillsboro. She was 85 years of age.

Vergene was born on April, 17 1937 in Hillsboro, Oregon and was the daughter of Leverett and Leila (Wismer) Adams. She was raised on the family farm in the Helvetia- North Plains Area north of Hillsboro, Oregon. She attended the Shadybrook Grade School. Their family attended a small church near the Shadybrook where at age 5 she committed her life to Jesus as her Savior. Vergene graduated in 1955 from Hillsboro High School. On December 10, 1955, she married David Alexander Eischen at the Hillsboro Methodist Church.

Vergene was working for the Hillsboro Argus Newspaper when she married Dave. She quit the Argus shortly after getting married to help on the Eischen Farm. In addition to hay and grain farming, she and Dave raised a 1000 laying hens, producing 800 eggs a day. They got out of raising chickens and went into raising beef cows and sheep. It would not be uncommon for a visitor to see orphaned lambs recovering in their warm kitchen. In 1960 Dave and her planted their first prune orchard and few years later cherry orchards. Vergene became one of the best fruit harvest machine operators on the farm. She and Dave also did custom farming and for years hosted school farm tours for Hillsboro Elementary Students. She was known well for her hospitality. You always had a place at the table when you stopped by. She taught her children the values of farm life, the importance of family, and that God’s grace was sufficient and available for everyone.

She served alongside her husband Dave in the chaplain auxiliary for Gideon’s International which gave her the opportunity to mentor at the local jail once a week. Vergene’s faith was very important to her. Prior to fellowshipping at the Laurel Community Church, she had been a youth group leader and a Sunday School teacher. She also led Bible Study Fellowship groups in her community. At Laurel Community Church she and Dave participated in numerous church activities.

Many community issues were important to her as well. She was passionately involved in political issues that had impacts on family, faith, and freedom. Back in the day when we went to vote at polling locations you may have seen her volunteering at the registration table.

Vergene loved gardening and growing flowers of all kinds. She was clearly a hard worker. She joined in with Dave to help continue and build a 6th generation family farm. She cared about people and her community and she loved her family and friends deeply. The legacy Vergene leaves is one of great compassion; something her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will have the honor to continue and model. Simply put, Vergene will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. In last few years her Alzheimer’s progressed to the point where her memory of people was near completely lost; yet her prayers continued to always be for others. She was blessed with an amazing team of caregivers that made each day full and delightful.

Vergene was preceded in death by her husband, David A Eischen; and her brothers, Lyle R. Adams, Gailen L. Adams, and Darrel A. Adams. She is survived by her children, Dan (wife, Marilyn) Eischen, Danita (husband, Chuck) Lovelady, Susan Eischen and Lori Porter; along with 10 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; and 3 great grandchildren that will be born this Fall.

A visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, June 13, 2022, from at Fir Lawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 1070 West Main St. Hillsboro, OR 97123. A Memorial service will be held 6:00 p.m. Monday, June 13, 2022, at the Laurel Community Church, 14127 SW Campbell Rd. in Hillsboro with a reception to follow. Private family interment will follow at Skyline Memorial Gardens in Portland.

Memorial contributions may be sent in memory of Vergene to “Gideon’s International” c/o West Washington County Gideon Chapter, PO Box 355, Forest Grove, OR 97116.

Arrangements entrusted to Fir Lawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home.