Eileen peacefully passed away on October 27, 2025 with her family around her.

She was born on January 22, 1930 at home in Hector, Minnesota to Herb and Hulda (Radloff) Witte. Eileen was the oldest of three siblings (Donna and Harold).

In high school, she was active in the school newspaper, school council and was president of her class senior year. She was a cheerleader, participated in Girl Scouts, and was confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran church in Hector. Growing up, Eileen and her family went fishing and blueberry picking in northern Minnesota, a tradition she later continued with her own family.

She graduated from high school in 1948 and then worked for a year at her father's car dealership. She received a scholarship to Macalester College in St. Paul, which she attended for one year before transferring to the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Eileen graduated from the University in 1953 with a degree in home economics, specializing in institutional management and dietetics. She taught at the University while taking master's level classes. She supervised food service for over 1200 students in addition to teaching college classes.

Eileen met John in 1953 at a school dance. After a whirlwind romance they were married on November 22, 1953.  After John graduated from veterinary school, they lived in Eureka, South Dakota. Later they moved to Ada, Minnesota in 1961 and then relocated to Sturgis in 1978.  Eileen worked as a dietician and also raised two children.

While she lived in Minnesota, Eileen coordinated a One-Fund drive and was a Girl Scout leader. She was active at her church with quilting, circle, and teaching Sunday school.

In 1966, John and Eileen took their family across the world to participate in mission service in northern Ethiopia. Eileen helped women there with hygiene, children's health, and nutrition. She returned to mission service in 1998 with a trip to Cameroon and also participated in a mission trip to Liberia.

In Sturgis, Eileen was active in church quilting, Bible study, Spring Creek Ladies club, organizing church breakfasts for the motorcycle rally, women's investment club, and the South Dakota Lutheran Church Synod board of directors. She enjoyed playing cards and games with her family and friends. She loved to entertain and often hosted dinner parties in her home. Eileen loved her six grandchildren and her three great grandchildren dearly, and enjoyed doing activities with them. She liked to read, cook, sew, and excelled at making lefse. Many enjoyed her homemade cinnamon rolls and bread. Eileen had a servant's heart and was always helping others in her community. She liked to stay BUSY.

Eileen is survived by her husband, John; son, John (Sherri); daughter, Jean (Mike); her grandchildren, Cheyenne, Denali (Alec), Cordelia, Tom, Shayne (Hwawon) and Sydney; great grandchildren, Serah, Selina, and Stephen, nieces and nephews, and many many friends.

Eileen was preceded in death by her parents, Herb and Hulda Witte, and her siblings, Donna and Harold.

Services are planned for Saturday, January 3, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Sturgis, SD. Interment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery on Monday, January 5, 2026.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, Sturgis, SD, Love INC of the Black Hills - Sturgis, or Global Health Ministries, 7831 Hickory St NE, Minneapolis, MN  55432.

Condolences may be left for the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com.