Steven Eichstadt, age 75, of Wolsey, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at home with his family by his side.

His funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Tuesday, May 23 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Wolsey. Burial will be in the church cemetery. His service will be live-streamed . Military honors will be conducted by the Hershman-Gordon Post #59 American Legion.

View Steven's Funeral Folder

Visitation will be from 1:00 to 7:00 PM, Monday, at the Kuhler Funeral Home, with his family present from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. A prayer service will be held at 6:30 PM Monday evening at the funeral home. His prayer service will be live-streamed .

Steven R. Eichstadt was born December 24, 1947, to Richard and Evelyn (Scheibe) Eichstadt in Huron. He grew up on the family farm West of Wolsey, and attended school in Wolsey. While attending Wolsey High School, Steve lettered in three sports all four years of high school. As a freshman, he lettered in softball, which was the last year Wolsey had a team. As a sophomore, he lettered in football, which was the first year Wolsey had a team. Steve also lettered in basketball and track all four years, making the All-State Basketball Team in 1966 at Wolsey High School. He graduated from Wolsey High School May 1966.

He continued his education at Huron College, where he majored in secondary education, science and coaching. He graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in December 1970.

On June 7, 1969, Steve married Diane Peterson at the St. John's Lutheran Church in Wolsey. As newlyweds, they made their home in Huron, while they finished their schooling at Huron College. In 1974, they moved to the Eichstadt family farm.

Steve loved the farm life and was a true steward of the land. He enjoyed growing crops and raising cattle. His collection of John Deere tractors, both toy and full size was extensive.

His love of sports continued after high school as he participated in fast-pitch softball and on the church's basketball team. Hunting was also a favorite of Steve's, he enjoyed hunting most anything. He cherished the time he was able to teach his nieces and nephews about hunting pheasant, deer, coyotes, badgers, gophers and the like.

Steve served in the South Dakota National Guard from October 1970 to June 1979, when he was honorably discharged. He was a member of the Hershman-Gordon Post #59 American Legion.

Church and community were important to Steve. He was strong in his Christian faith and was a life-time member of St. John's Lutheran Church where he served as Chairman of the Congregation for many years. Steve also served on the Wessington Township Board as Clerk from 1976 to 2020.

Steve was a Pioneer Seed dealer from 1976 to 1998.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother-in-law, Trevor Tschetter; his parents-in-law, Phil and Edna Peterson; one sister-in-law, JoAnn Peterson; and one nephew, Andy Eichstadt.

Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Diane Eichstadt of Wolsey; his sister, Judith D. Tschetter of Huron; his brother, Tony (LuAnn) Eichstadt of Colorado Springs, Colorado; his brother-in-law, Larry Peterson of Wolsey, one sister-in-law, Phyllis Schnoor of Frisco, Texas; eleven nieces and nephews and their families, Lisa Meyer, Lori Messegee, Kristi (Regan) Glanzer, Adam (Rachel) Eichstadt, Alex (Andress) Eichstadt, Steve (Pat) Schnoor, Scott (Julie) Schnoor, Stacie Dickson, Samantha (John Thompson) Schnoor, Curt Peterson and Laurie (Allen) Kramper; and many cousins.

View Steven's Floral Arrangements