Melvin Elmer Eichstadt

Melvin Elmer Eichstadt was taken home to heaven on December 9, 2024 in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. His days of grace on the earth were fulfilled and the Lord brought to a close many decades of blessings.

Melvin was born on April 23, 1930 in Sanborn, Minnesota–the oldest child of Elmer and Esther (Winkelmann) Eichstadt. He received spiritual rebirth through water and the Word of Baptism on May 11, 1930 at Zion Lutheran Church, Sanborn, MN. He would later confess his faith in his confirmation at Zion on Palm Sunday, April 18, 1943. His confirmation memory verse was Psalm 37:5, “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”

Melvin grew up living and farming with his family outside of Sanborn, MN. Melvin graduated from Sanborn High School on May 20, 1948.

Melvin actively served in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) from October 17, 1951 to October 14, 1953, and then he was honorably discharged from the Reserve of the USMC on October 16, 1959. His active service was as a radar operator in Hawaii.

Melvin married Irene Schroeder on June 27, 1956. After living in Faribault for a time they moved to Austin and then to a 90+ acre farm between Austin and Albert Lea where they raised their family and farmed crops and livestock in addition to his full time employment.

He completed Radiographic Technique training in 1956 and became a registered X-ray Technician on January 1, 1957. He began this work in Faribault, MN and would go on to work in this field for over thirty years at the Austin Medical Clinic, Austin, MN and also a shorter time at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea, MN. During his years at the Austin Medical Clinic, he was trained as the first technician in echocardiography which he continued to do for a number of years.

Melvin also sold insurance, ran for political office several times, served as a leader in his local church congregation and church body, but most important of all, he was a child of God throughout his life. In death, Melvin follows Irene–his beloved wife of 53 years, a great grandson, Dianne–his sister and her husband, John, and two sisters-in-law and two brothers-in-law. 

He is survived by his two brothers and their wives, two sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, four sons–Michael (Sue), Brian (Maureen), Dean (Jeanette), and Wayne (Tina), 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and many extended family and friends.

Funeral Service will be Livestream: FridleyLutheran.org

A 10:00 am visitation and 11:00 am funeral service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 460 - 75th Ave NE, Fridley, MN on Monday, December 16th, with lunch following. Interment will be at Fairview Cemetery in Oakland Township, MN near the family’s farm on Tuesday, December 17th at 9:00 am. Flowers and memorials may be at the donor’s discretion.

Melvin’s victory in Christ is complete. The days of his earthly time of grace were 94 years, 7 months, and 16 days. His days in the glory and presence of his Savior cannot be numbered and are without end.