Earl Henry Eisenbacher, 77
Earl Henry Eisenbacher, 77, passed away Jan. 2, 2017, at his home in St. Regis, with family members at his side after a valiant battle against cancer.
A funeral Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, at St. Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Mission in Superior. There will be a memorial service and final burial at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, Spicer, Minnesota, in July 2017.
Earl was born in St. James, Minnesota, on Oct. 1, 1939, to George and Florence Eisenbacher. He was raised on a farm near Calhoun Lake, Spicer, Minnesota. He attended Atwater schools as a child. In 1963, Earl enlisted in the United States Army. After proudly serving our country for 30 years, he retired in September 1999 from the Montana National Guard as a Master Sergeant E-8.
On May 28, 1966, he married Kathryn (Fuchs) Eisenbacher and they were married until her death on March 24, 2011. They had four children (spouses): Dawn (Don) Kelley of Elkland, Missouri; Michelle (Jerome) Cann of Richmond, Virginia; Sarah Sue (Randy) Miller of Hickory, North Carolina; and Matthew (Sara) Eisenbacher of Springfield, Missouri. They had 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Earl met Judy Minson in March 2014 and found love again. They were united in marriage on Aug. 30, 2014. In their two very short years of marriage, they went on many new adventures together and were inseparable.
With this marriage, four adult children, their spouses and grandchildren were added to the family: Rance Minson of Bonnie Lake, Washington; Tessie (Scott) Van Hoff of Kingston, Washington; Richard Minson of Kalispell; and Carolyn (John) Ericksen of Wilsonville, Oregon.
Earl used his many talents to build, fix, maintain, produce and create. He farmed the land and milked cows in Hawick, Minnesota, until 1975 and then opened his own automotive repair shop, “Earl’s Repair.”
The next adventure began in 1983 by moving his family to St. Regis. He pioneered the land into a sustainable farm, including a log home built by hand from his own timber. This was a life-long dream fulfilled.
In Montana, Earl reopened his repair shop and also worked for the St. Regis school system. After retirement, his hobbies expanded into a museum-quality collection of antique farm engines, hand tools and equipment. He prided himself in teaching the children of the community about our American heritage.
His life inspired many others to follow his footprints of strong faith, stature, principles and family. He was one-of-a-kind and will be missed by many.
In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Kootenai Cancer Services Fund at www.kh.org > foundation > donate.
Or the St. Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Mission Altar Society, P.O. Box 329, Frenchtown, MT 59834, or a cancer research charity of your choosing.