Eldon Manderscheid, 81, of Hastings, MN, formerly of Zwingle, IA, passed away on December 12, 2019.

Services for Eldon will be held Sunday, December 22nd, at the Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road. Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Rodney Allers officiating. Burial will be in Assumption Cemetery, Sylvia Switch.

Eldon was born at home on January 22, 1938, in Bellevue, IA, the son of Orville and Marie (Ryan) Manderscheid.

Eldon was the oldest of seven children. Shortly after he was born, the family moved to their farm outside of Zwingle, Iowa. He graduated from Holy Rosary Catholic High School in LaMotte, Iowa.

Eldon married Judy Sweeney on July 25, 1959, they had four children and 12 grandchildren. Eldon reclaimed his heritage by becoming a Luxembourg citizen in January. Eldon and Judy celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in July.

Eldon retired from the John Deere Dubuque Works after 31 years. Eldon and Judy had purchased a farm in 1961, adjacent to his parent’s farm where he farmed for 30+ years. He was a farmer at heart, a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals and Iowa Hawkeye fan. He served in the Iowa National Guard Reserve, was a proud UAW member, Zwingle city council member, AARP legislative liaison, Zwingle Recreation Association member, and most recently, a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Three years ago, he and Judy moved to Hastings, Minnesota to be closer to family.

Eldon is survived by his wife Judy; children Kate (Bret) Lewallen, of Tucson, Az; Karen (Paul) Simons, of Hastings, MN, Dan (Ann) Manderscheid, of Ankeny, IA, and David (Laura) Manderscheid, of Gaithersburg, MD; grandchildren Krista (Ryan) Nelson, Kyle Lewallen; Hannah, Grant, Ryan, Natalie Simons; Sarah, Rachel, Chloe Manderscheid; Eric, Jake, Jennifer Manderscheid; brothers Roger (Judy), Duane (Mary) and a sister Carol Ernst.

Eldon was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws Justin and Florence Sweeney; siblings Gerald and Glenn Manderscheid; sister Ardis Cobar, and brother-in-law Gary Ernst.