Norma Eickhoff

Norma B. Eickhoff, age 81 of Freeport died unexpectedly Sunday, October 13, 2013 at the CentraCare Health Hospital in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 17 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich with Rev. Roger Klassen, O.S.B. officiating and Rev. Ken Thielman and Rev. Art Hoppe concelebrating. Interment will be in the parish cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at the church in New Munich. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. followed by St. Anne's Christian Mothers at 6 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Norma Bernadine Austing was born September 28, 1932 in Millwood Township, Stearns County, Minnesota to Melchoir "Mike" and Mary (Bergmann) Austing. She grew up in St. Rosa and married Melvin Eickhoff on October 21, 1952 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in St. Rosa. They made their home on the farmstead southeast of New Munich for 60 years.

Norma loved cooking, gardening, crossword puzzles, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich and the St. Anne's Christian Mothers.

Survivors include her husband, Melvin Eickhoff of Freeport; children, Ralph Eickhoff of Freeport, Mary Mathisen of Woodbury, Alvin (Mary) Eickhoff of Albany, Barbara (Thomas) Sand of Browerville, James (Jill) Eickhoff of Paynesville; 16 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and sister, Rose Stoermann of St. Rosa.

Norma was preceded in death by her parents; son, Charles Eickhoff (2002); brothers, Benny, Lawrence, and Elmer Austing; and sister, Lorraine Frericks.

Serving as casket bearers will be Michael, Gregory, Jeremy, Lee, and Jared Eickhoff, and Brian Sand. Cross bearer will be Samantha Eickhoff and scripture bearer will be Jennifer Eickhoff. Gift bearers will be Emily and Kelsey Mathisen and Amy Sand. Reader will be Steven Eickhoff. Petitions will be read by Michael Eickhoff. Honorary bearers will be the St. Anne's Christian Mothers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.