The funeral service will be live-streamed at: https://www.ourlivingwater.org/eldredeischens.html

Eldred “Eldy” A. Eischens, age 99, of Willmar, passed away Thursday, May 28, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a. m. on Wednesday, June 3, at the Church of St. Mary. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will one hour prior to the service at the church. Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Funeral Home. www.petersonbrothers.com

Eldred “Eldy” Anton Eischens was born on January 28, 1927, in Canby, Minnesota, the son of Bernard and Elizabeth (Unzen) Eischens. He grew up in Canby, was baptized at St. Leo Catholic Church, and graduated from Canby High School. He was united in marriage to Anna Mae Richard on November 8, 1949, at St. Michael Catholic Church in Madison, Minnesota. To this union, three children were born. They lived and farmed near Spicer and in 1951 moved to Willmar, where they’ve lived for the past 75 years.

He worked for Goodyear Tire Shop and Gas Station. In 1968, he began working at Willmar Poultry Company, retiring in 2002. He was a member of the Eagles Club and Willmar V.F.W. Post #1639. He bowled on the K of C Bowling league for 30 years. Eldy enjoyed gardening, traveling, fishing, bowling and his dog, Junior. He was kind, good-natured and generous. He also volunteered with the American Red Cross Blood Mobile for 10 years.

Eldy was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church since 1951, serving as a member of the Knights of Columbus, as an usher for 60 years, and volunteering to take care of the church recycling for many years.

Surviving are his three children, Jim (Cheryl) Eischens of New London, Debra (Robert) Roelofs of Spicer and Mark (Cindy) Eischens of Waconia; a sister-in-law, GeorgeAnn Eischens of Willmar; six grandchildren, Jesse (Tammy) Swenson of New London, Joseph Swenson of Spicer, Jordan (Rose) Swenson of New London, Jinae Plumhoff of St. Cloud, Alissa Eischens of Minneapolis, Andy (Laurie) Eischens of Savage; six great-grandchildren, Gunnar Swenson of Champlin, MJ Plumhoff and Savvy Plumhoff of St. Cloud, Jaymin Eischens and Leyton Eischens of Savage, John Paul Swenson of New London; four step-grandchildren, Brent Roelofs of Estonia, Jamie (Sara) Roelofs of Willmar, Marissa (Brett) Lauer of Willmar, Hannah (Alex) Peterson of Willmar; and three great-great grandchildren, Indy Peterson of Willmar, Bella Lauer and Eva Lauer of Willmar; besides other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Anna Mae in 2018; four siblings, Betty (Tubby) Bratch, Mary Ann Brill, Ray (Mary Ann) Eischens and Arnold Eischens.