Howard W. Eckhardt

Howard William Eckhardt, son of William F. and Muriel (MacMurtrie) Eckhardt, was born on June 6, 1927 in Prescott Township, Faribault County, Minnesota. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Emerald Township, by Rev. W.E. Heidorn, where he served on the church cemetery board and as an usher. He was also active in the Walther League on local and district levels. He attended District 36 school in Prescott Township and graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1944. He attended Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato. He farmed and also worked at Carls Roller Rink in Blue Earth. He married Wiletha Burch Rice on September 9, 1956 at First Methodist Church in Wadena, MN. They made their home and farmed in Prescott Township, where he served on the town board as a supervisor for 14 years. He retired in 1989 and continued to live on the farm, later moving to Blue Earth in 2003. Survivors include his wife Wiletha of Blue Earth; two sons, William G. Bill Eckhardt and wife Mary of Blue Earth, and David L. Eckhardt and wife Corrinne of Blue Earth, five grandchildren: Sara (Kyle) Hauskins of Blue Earth, Molly and Ellen Eckhardt, both of Blue Earth, Amy (Jim) Pearson-Paisley of Clear Lake, Iowa and A.J. Pearson of Fridley; and a great-grandson, Branson Hauskins of Blue Earth. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.