Mervin Eischens
Mervin Eischens, age 92, of St. Leo, MN, passed away Monday, November 8, 2021, in Osakis, MN. Mass of Christian burial was Friday, November 12, 2021, at the St. Leo Catholic Church in St. Leo, MN. Burial was in the St. Leo Catholic Cemetery, St. Leo.
Mervin Edmund Eischens was born three miles east of St. Leo, MN, on May 18, 1929, to John M. and Magdalena (Baierl) Eischens. He was the second youngest of 12 children. He attended St. Leo Catholic School and received the sacraments. He graduated from Clarkfield High School, where he enjoyed football and track. Mervin graduated from the Minnesota School of Business in Minneapolis, MN. He farmed three years and started his Farmers Union Insurance business before serving in the Korean War in Japan at the Army headquarters from 1951-1953, where he was on a champion softball team while there.
Mervin and Velma DeVos were married on May 5, 1954, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Minneota. They were married over 63 years until Velma’s death in 2018. They raised seven daughters in St. Leo. Their only son, Johnny, passed away at the age of 5. They resided in St. Leo until 2015, lived in Minneota, then Sylvan Place in Canby. During COVID, he lived in Ivanhoe with Maureen and Dave, then, this past year, in Osakis with Patty and Kim, and also Joyce, helping with his care. The rest of the family helped out when needed.
Mervin had his insurance business from 1951-2006. He farmed from 1954-1963 and then managed the Canby Coop Credit Union in Canby from 1963-1983. He was very involved in the communities. Mervin was an active member of the St. Leo Catholic Church and Men’s Club, Catholic Order of Foresters, St. Leo Fire Department for 40 years, secretary/treasurer of the Yellow Medicine County DFL for 27 years, Minnesota Farmers Union, Canby Rotary Club 39 years with 37 years of perfect attendance, Minneota Lions Club, Canby VFW lifetime member, and St. Leo American Legion as adjutant for 52 years.
Mervin was the mayor of St. Leo from 1959-2000. While mayor, he helped bring rural water and sewer into town, as well as the softball diamond, his “Field of Dreams.” Mervin enjoyed playing softball; he sponsored and managed his team from 1971-2000. He was inducted into the MN Softball Hall of Fame. He received a United Nations Service Medal and Korean Service Medal. Mervin’s special memories included trips to the Bahamas, Vancouver, Canada, and Seattle, WA. He enjoyed being with family, Bingo, cards, casino trips, gardening, MN sports, and politics.
Mervin passed away on Monday, November 8, 2021, after fighting multiple myeloma and colon cancer the past year at the age of 92.
He is survived by his seven daughters, Maureen (Dave) Panka of Ivanhoe, MN, Kathy (Kurt) Pesch of Perham, MN, Patty (Kim) Kallevig of Osakis, MN, Louise Eischens of Marshall, MN, Carol (Mark) Oakland of Minneota, MN, Joyce Eischens of Marshall, MN, and Mary Jo (Mike) Kor of Oelwein, IA; 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Ramona Buysse, Lucille Qunell, and Phyllis (Wally) Birk; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Mervin was preceded in death by his wife, Velma; son, Johnny in 1970; grandson, Seth Kallevig in 2018; parents; brothers, Joseph, Clarence, Herman and Silverius; and sisters, Susan Beck, Josephine Troye, Genevieve Jelen, Florence Braun, Magdalen Kapolczynski, Bernice Roles, and Lillian Sanow.