BLUE EARTH - Howard William Eckhardt, age 82, of Blue Earth, died Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, at Fairmont Medical Center in Fairmont. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Earth, with Rev. Stephen Bohling officiating.

Burial will follow in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Emerald Township. Visiting hours will be from 4-8 p.m. on today at Patton Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 400 E. 14th St., Blue Earth, and one hour prior to services at the church.

Web tributes may be left at www.pattonfh.com

Howard William Eckhardt, son of William F. and Muriel (MacMurtrie) Eckhardt, was born on June 6, 1927, in Prescott Township, Faribault County, Minn. 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 Carl's Roller Rink in Blue Earth.

He married Wiletha Burch Rice on Sept. 9, 1956, at First Methodist Church in Wadena, Minn. 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.