(Taken from
http://www.owatonna.com)
ELLENDALE — Steven E Eaker, 55, of Ellendale passed away Saturday, April 1
at the home of his daughter in Ellendale.
Steve was born June 17, 1950 in Owatonna, to Herman and Esther (Wilker)
Eaker.
He grew up in the Bixby area and graduated from high school in 1968
from Blooming Prairie High School; he then attended Pipestone Vo- Tech for
two years, for meat cutting.
He married Donnavon Colee Aug. 30, 1969 at St. John’s Evangelical Church in
Claremont. The couple lived in the Twin Cities, where Steve worked for
Kroeger Foods and Piggly Wiggly. In January of 1973 they moved to Ellendale
and purchased Pete and Rubes Market.
In 1996 Steve was named to the American Meat Processors Cured Meats
Hall of Fame, and in 2005 received the American Meat Processors Achievement
Award.
Steve had a passion for the meat industry, he loved to teach others
all that he knew including his sausage making and meat curing techniques. He
was a member of the MN Assoc. of Meat Processors, and American Assoc. of
Meat Processors.
He was a member of First Lutheran Church in Ellendale, where he
taught Sunday school and confirmation classes. He was also a 4-H leader and
helped with the area FFA Clubs. He was also a member of the Ellendale
Commercial Club.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Donnavon; daughters,
Michelle (Frank) Steever of Cranston, R.I., and Rachael (Mark) Lee of
Ellendale; one granddaughter, Genevieve Steever; one grandson, Daxter Lee;
one brother, John Eaker of Corvalis, Ore.; one sister, Gloria Schibursky of
Preston; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded by his parents and one brother David.
A celebration of his life will be held at 11a.m. today at First
Lutheran Church in Ellendale with the Rev. Arne Halbakken officiating,
visitation will be held for one hour prior to services at the church. Burial
will be in the First Lutheran Cemetery Ellendale.
Memorials are preferred to the Meat Science Programs at Iowa State
University, South Dakota State University, University of Wisconsin River
Falls.
