Bernard James "Bernie" Eischens

Bernard "Bernie" J. Eischens, 85, of Bagley, MN died on Friday, April 19, 2024, from complications of Parkinson's disease at his home surrounded by his loving family in Bagley, Minnesota under the care of hospice.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Bagley, Minnesota with Father John Melkies Suvakeen officiating and a visitation one hour prior. An evening of visitation will also be held on Friday, April 26, 2024 from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. at the Cease Family Funeral Home in Bagley, MN with a time of sharing beginning at 6:30 and a Prayer Service to follow. Interment will be held at a later date. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley assisted the family with arrangements.
Bernie was born on March 26, 1939 to Nicholas and Mabel (Olson) Eischens in Two Inlets, MN on the family farm. He attended Two Inlets Country School through sixth grade. He graduated from Park Rapids High School in 1957 and went on to graduate from Bemidji State Teachers College in 1961.
Bernie was married to the love of his life, Alice Waldorf, on August 5, 1961 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Two Inlets, MN. They moved to Little Fork from 1961 to 1963, where Bernie began teaching, before settling in Bagley, where they have remained ever since. Bernie worked as a Bagley High School Math Teacher from 1963 until his retirement in 1997. Over the years he also worked as the Drivers Education instructor, as a Hobby Farmer and as a Park Ranger at Itasca State Park.
Bernie loved to deer hunt and cut trees and lumber, even cutting pulpwood at Yellowstone in his college years. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, the Lions, and the Knights of Columbus. His hobby farm produced some of the finest alfalfa hay in the county. In his retirement, Bernie loved being a jack of all trades and helping anyone he could. He was a well-known community member and will be tremendously missed.
Bernie is survived by his wife, Alice Eischens; his children, Ron (Karla) Eischens, Dave (Karen Weller) Eischens, Rodney (Lisa) Eischens, Dan (Shelby) Eischens, and Kari (Mike) Mathison; his sister, Joanne Gitchel; his sisters-in-law, Joan Eischens and Janet Eischens; 11 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; and many other loved family members.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Nicholas and Mabel Eischens; his brothers, Lawrence Eischens, George Eischens, Sylvester Eischens, Jerome Eischens, Kenny Eischens, and Leroy Eischens; his sisters, Barbara Hamblin, Leona Horkey, Lillian Holcomb, and Marie Schroeder; two infant brothers; and his in-laws, John and Adeline Waldorf.