Ward Eichhorst, age 46 of rural Coleharbor, ND died Thursday, May 27 at his home.

Funeral Services will be held 10:30 AM Tuesday, June 1, 2010 at Augustana Lutheran Church in Underwood, ND, with Rev. Joel Sherer officiating.

Interment will be in Underwood Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday at Augustana Lutheran Church and will continue on Tuesday, one hour prior to time of service.

Ward R. Eichhorst was born August 30, 1963 in Bismarck, ND to Richard & Diane (Schulz) Eichhorst. He grew up on the Eichhorst family farm west of Falkirk, ND and attended school in Washburn. Ward was a member of the Boy Scout Troop #79 of Washburn and obtained his Eagle Scout status in 1980. He participated in football and basketball and graduated from Washburn High School in 1981. Ward attended North Dakota State University and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 1985. He was a proud member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

Ward married Tania Paulson of Coleharbor, ND on June 18, 1988 in Underwood. They moved to Fargo where he continued his education receiving a Master of Science degree in Agricultural Mechanization in 1989. He then worked as a loan officer with USDA Rural Development in Minnesota for ten years, working in Roseau, Mora, Cambridge, and North Branch. Following the blessed arrival of their first two of four children, a twin son and daughter, they made the decision to move to rural Coleharbor and farm with Tania's family. Ward loved being a farmer and was a wonderful husband, father, and friend. He contained a special soul that reached out to people.

He was active in the North Dakota Farm Bureau which included his participation on the initial trade mission to Cuba. He was the 25th recipient of the NDSU Agricultural Award for McLean County. Ward was a faithful member of the Augustana Lutheran Church and enjoyed serving in community choirs. Ward also enjoyed golfing, hunting, and playing with his kids. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and many friends.

Those grateful to have shared in his life include his wife, Tania of Coleharbor; two sons, Darin & Andrew Eichhorst, & two daughters, Emily & Laura, all at home; his parents, Richard & Diane Eichhorst of Bismarck; one brother, Jon (Terri) Eichhorst of Gillette, WY; one sister, Carin (Mark) Voigt of Big Lake, MN; his in-laws, Donald & Jean Paulson of Coleharbor; sister-in-law, Brook (Michael) Rinehart of Nevada, MO; brother-in-law, Bradley Paulson of Boston, MA; grandmother, Margaret Martin of Hensler, ND; one aunt, Dr. Tracy Martin (Rick) Berg of Fargo; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents and one aunt (Rachel).