A celebration of life service will be held at 10 a.m. on Nov. 12, at Calvary Lutheran in Willmar. Visitations will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Nov. 11, at Peterson Funeral Home in Willmar and for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer, IA at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Dena wished for donations to the Hospice program at Bethesda Care Center in Willmar as well as Hope Lodge near the University of Minnesota-Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis. www.petersonbrothers.com

Dena was born in Waterloo, Iowa on Sept. 13, 1949, to Manford and Theo Osborn. She married Dean Eichelberger on Nov. 28, 1970, and they made their home in Mankato, St. James and New Ulm, before moving to Willmar in 1989. Dena and Dean were blessed with two daughters, Tanya and Christine. Dena and Dean had a wonderful life of love and happiness. Watching their five grandchildren growing up has also brought them much joy.

She worked as a registered nurse from 1972-2011 and loved her career. While in Willmar, Dene worked at Rice Care Center, Woodland Centers, and Kandiyohi County Public Health. Dena’s time as an obstetrics nurse in New Ulm and working with young families through prenatal, post-partum visits at Public Health were the highlight of her career.

Dena is survived by her loving husband of fifty-two years, Dean Eichelberger of Willmar; children: Tanya (Tim) Miller of Sioux Falls, SD and Christine Piper of North Branch; grandchildren: Paige, Evan and John Miller, and Ava and Oliver Piper; besides many nephews and nieces, other relatives and friends.

Dena was preceded in death by her only sibling, Robert “Bob” in 1988, her father, Manford “Ozzie” in 1990, her mother, Theo in 2001, as well as many aunts and uncles.

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