Yvonne Berneda Eichmann

MASON CITY - Yvonne Berneda Eichmann, 87, of Mason City, died Thursday, July 26, 2012, at Good Shepherd Health Center.
Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 30, at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2620 Highway 122 E., with Pastor Bruce Miller officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. today, Sunday, July 29, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, Iowa.
Memorials may be directed to Yvonne Eichmann Memorial Fund in care of the family. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.
Yvonne was born Oct. 7, 1924, in Galt, Iowa, the daughter of Jay Irvin and Nina Cerl (Burt) Knuths. She was a graduate of Rowan High School where she was active in musical groups and played basketball, and she played the piano at church. She graduated from Waldorf College with a degree in elementary school education. Yvonne taught school in Alexander, Iowa.
Yvonne married Fred Eichmann Jr. on Sept. 13, 1950, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Mason City. Yvonne and Fred were successful farmers for many years in Mason City until they retired in 1976 and moved to town. They had a common love for dancing together at the Surf Ballroom, where they originally met. They also danced at the Senior Citizens Center in Mason City. They listened regularly to Lawrence Welk and Guy Lombardo.
Their priorities in life included serving Jesus and being evangelists for the church. They cherished spending time with their children. Yvonne was in the Ladies' Circle, choir, and neighborhood club. Yvonne assisted her children with 4-H and North Iowa Fair activities. Her family always enjoyed her home-cooked meals and delicious desserts. Yvonne enjoyed gardening and canning, traveling, dancing, playing cards, yoga and taking brisk walks.
Yvonne, along with Fred, were two of the founding members of Messiah Lutheran Church. Their devotion to Jesus and serving the Lord continued to be of utmost importance to them. After Fred's death in 2003, Yvonne remained in her home until she moved to Cornerstone Assisted Living, followed by Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City.
Yvonne was diagnosed with celiac disease (gluten intolerance) resulting in significant dietary changes. In spite of this, Yvonne taught piano lessons in her room, played music and sang for other residents, led a Bible study group and welcomed new residents to the facility.
Yvonne leaves a legacy of faith to her children, Douglas Boyington of Essex, Iowa; Carmen Eichmann and husband, Steve Herzog of West Des Moines, Iowa; Deanna Andrew of Altoona, Iowa; Carol Sage and husband, Bryan of Mason City, Iowa; and Nina Werstein and husband, Kevin of Plymouth, Minn.
Yvonne also leaves a legacy of faith to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Doug's family: Becki and husband, Todd Franks, and children Shane, Philip and Bradley, Essex, Iowa; Sara and Troy Smith, Essex, Iowa; Elizabeth and husband, Jay Ungry, and children Lexi and Jason, Emerson, Iowa; Carmen's family: David and Adam, West Des Moines, Iowa; Deanna's family: Bronson and wife, Jenny, and children Ava and Olivia, Fort Dodge, Iowa; and Bergen Andrew, Altoona, Iowa; Carol's family: Nathan, Ames, Iowa; Trevor, San Francisco, Calif.; Spencer, Lane, Gregor and Nicholas, Mason City, Iowa; Nina's family: Casey, Shannon and Courtney, Plymouth, Minn.
She is also survived by sister, Ruth Willey and husband, Dwight, of Riceville, Iowa; sister-in-law Shelly Knuths, Hackensack, Minn.; brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Juanita Eichmann of Urbandale, Iowa; sister-in-law Marie Alden of Boone, Iowa; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by loving husband, Fred; an infant son at birth; her parents, Jay and Nina Knuths, of Rowan, Iowa; and brother, Leroy Knuths of Madison, S.D.
Arrangements: Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, Iowa 50401, 641-423-0924, www.majorericksonfuneralhome.com.