Yvonne B. Eichmann

Yvonne Berneda Eichmann, 87, of Mason City, died Thursday, July 26, 2012 at Good Shepherd Health Center. Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, July 30, 2012 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2620 Hwy 122 East with Pastor Bruce Miller officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Sunday (July 29, 2012) at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Mason City, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to Yvonne Eichmann Memorial Fund in care of the family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com. Yvonne was born October 7, 1924 in Galt, Iowa the daughter of Jay Irvin and Nina Cerl (Burt) Knuths. She was a graduate of Rowan High School where she was active in musical groups, played basketball, and played the piano at church. She graduated from Waldorf College with a degree in Elementary School Education. Yvonne taught school in Alexander, Iowa. Yvonne married Fred Eichmann Jr. on September 13, 1950 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City. Yvonne and Fred were successful farmers for many years in Mason City until they retired in 1976 and moved to town. They had a common love for dancing together at the Surf Ballroom, where they originally met. They also danced at the Senior Citizens Center in Mason City. They listened regularly to Lawrence Welk and Guy Lombardo. Their priorities in life included serving Jesus and being evangelists for the church. They cherished spending time with their children. Yvonne was in the Ladies' Circle, choir, and neighborhood club. Yvonne assisted her children with 4-H and North Iowa Fair activities. Her family always enjoyed her home-cooked meals and delicious desserts. Yvonne enjoyed gardening and canning, traveling, dancing, playing cards, yoga and taking brisk walks. Yvonne, along with Fred, were two of the founding members of Messiah Lutheran Church. Their devotion to Jesus and serving the Lord continued to be of utmost importance to them. After Fred's death in 2003, Yvonne remained in her home until she moved to Cornerstone Assisted Living, followed by Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City. Yvonne was diagnosed with celiac disease (gluten intolerance) resulting in significant dietary changes. In spite of this, Yvonne taught piano lessons in her room, played music and sang for other residents, led a Bible study group, and welcomed new residents to the facility. Yvonne leaves a legacy of faith to her children, Douglas Boyington of Essex, IA; Carmen Eichmann and husband Steve Herzog of West Des Moines, IA; Deanna Andrew of Altoona, IA; Carol Sage and husband Bryan of Mason City, IA; and Nina Werstein and husband Kevin of Plymouth, MN. Yvonne also leaves a legacy of faith to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Doug's family: Becki and husband Todd Franks and children Shane, Philip and Bradley, Essex, IA; Sara and Troy Smith, Essex, IA; Elizabeth and husband Jay Ungry and children Lexi and Jason, Emerson, IA; Carmen's family: David and Adam, West Des Moines, IA; Deanna's family: Bronson and wife Jenny, and children Ava and Olivia, Fort Dodge, IA; and Bergen Andrew, Altoona, IA; Carol's family: Nathan, Ames, IA; Trevor, San Francisco, CA; Spencer, Lane, Gregor, and Nicholas, Mason City, IA; Nina's family: Casey, Shannon and Courtney, Plymouth, MN. She is also survived by sister, Ruth Willey and husband Dwight of Riceville, IA; sister-in-law Shelly Knuths, Hackensack, MN; brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Juanita Eichmann of Urbandale, IA; sister-in-law Marie Alden of Boone, IA; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by loving husband, Fred; an infant son at birth; her parents Jay and Nina Knuths, of Rowan, IA; and brother, Leroy Knuths of Madison, SD.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Yvonne B. Eichmann Memorial Fund in care of the family.

Visitation:
Visitation will be 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. Sunday (July 29, 2012) at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

Service:
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, July 30, 2012 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2620 Hwy 122 East with Pastor Bruce Miller officiating.