Earl Stephen Reckard

Funeral services for Earl Reckard, 84, rural Lewisville, Minnesota will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, Lewisville, with the Rev. Craig Cummins officiating. Interment will be at St. John's Lutheran Cemetery of South Branch, rural St. James, Minnesota. Mr. Reckard died Tuesday evening, January 18, 2005 at the Luther Memorial Home in Madelia, Minnesota. Visitation will be Friday, January 21, 2005 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Zaharia Family Funeral and Cremation Service in Truman and one hour prior to the service at the church. Earl Stephen Reckard was born on October 30, 1920 in Iroquois, South Dakota to Harvey and Eva (Easley) Reckard. He attended country school in South Dakota and finished his education in District 25 in Watonwan County, Minnesota. Earl farmed with his father near Lewisville, Minnesota. On October 22, 1944, Earl married Marvella Sieg at St. John's Lutheran Church of South Branch. They made their home and farmed in South Branch until 1955 when they moved Northeast of Lewisville. Earl continued farming and began milking cows until 1983 when he retired. Earl was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Lewisville, Minnesota. He was also on several church boards and was a member of card club. Earl enjoyed woodworking, welding and inventing. He also was an avid collector of yard sticks, buttons, bottles and coins. Earl had a knitting machine that he used to make baby blankets, scarves and afghans. Earl is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marvella Reckard, rural Lewisville, MN; one daughter and son-in-law, Erlyss and Gary Cooper, Waukon, IA; one son and daughter-in-law, Eldon and Linda Reckard, Prior Lake, MN; five grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Bernetta Reckard, Truman, MN; one brother-in-law, Walter Sieg, Truman, MN and numerous nieces and nephews. Earl was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers and sisters.