Wendy Lee (Merritt) Eischens was born on the 16th of February, 1954, the fourth of five chidren born to Glenn and Ilene Merritt. Her siblings included: Kay Herceg (Rick), Linda Merritt, Barry Merritt and Lance (Joan) Merrritt. As a child, Wendy was a busy girl. She was involved in Girl Scouts, swimming lessons, and later went on to be a certified lifeguard at the Minneota Pool. At 1 month old, Wendy was baptized at Hope Lutheran Church. She also moved to Florida at that age with her family and returned to Minneota 3 1/2 years later, after the infamous flood. Wendy went on to complete Sunday School and was later confirmed at Hope Lutheran Church. She graduated from Minneota High School in May of 1972; where she met Curt Eischens. They were later married in December of 1972. The couple had 4 children together: Stefanie (45), Laura (42), Ross (37) and Wade (30).
Wendy loved to cook and bake for her family and a crowd. She was a lively lady and could strike up a conversation with anyone. In her spare time, she loved to travel with her husband, Curt, on his many CHS Board of Directors trips. She also enjoyed gardening and crossword puzzles. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and her kitty Gabby.
Wendy died on Saturday, February 10, 2018, surrounded by family at the Sanford Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. She is survived by her Mother Ilene Merritt of Minneota, MN; Husband Curt of Minneota, MN; 2 Daughters: Stefanie Eischens (Jared) of Le Sueur, MN; Laura Bjorgo (Todd) of Woodbury, MN; and 2 Sons: Ross Eischens (Amanda) Minneota, MN; and Wade Eischens (Chelcie) of Milbank, SD. Grandchildren: Devon (21) & Parker Valencia (16), Benjamin (7) & Rebecca Bjorgo(5) and Braelynn Eischens (2). She is also survived by one sister Kay (and Rick) Herceg of St. Louis Park, MN and one brother Lance Merritt (Joan) Maplewood, MN, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by a brother Barry Merritt, father Glenn Merritt, one sister, Linda Merritt, one granddaughter, Jenna Lee Bjorgo, and one nephew, Scott Herceg.
