Eilerts, Aaron R (1994-2008)

EILERTS, BECKER, OLSEN, HARSTICK, HANSEN, BOSTON, WORDEKAMPER, BATENHORST

Posted By: Colleen Ossman (email)
Date: 6/18/2008 at 14:53:04

(Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA, 16 Jun 2008)

Aaron Robert Eilerts, the son of Robert and Carol (Becker) was born February 24, 1994, in West Point, Nebraska. He attended West Point Elementary through 5th grade and after moving to Eagle Grove with his family in June of 2005, he attended Robert Blue Middle School through 8th grade.

Aaron was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Eagle Grove. He was baptized and received his First Communion at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point, NE. He served as an altar server, sang in the Sacred Heart Youth Choir and taught bible school.

Aaron was on the “A” Honor Roll all eight years of school; recently voted 9th Grade Class Treasurer; served as a CIA Agent with Character Counts Youth Leadership; involved with Destination Imagination and was also a part of the musicals: “The King and I” , “Wizard of OZ” and “Elves and the Shoemaker”. Aaron also participated in band, choir, swim team for 6 years, 7th grade football and track and 8th grade cross country. He was the first person to sing the National Anthem at the new elementary school gym and performed for many local high school sporting events. He volunteered in his community; including time at the senior citizens center and Rotary Ann Nursing Home and was the founder of a project called Pillowcases for Patients, sewing pillowcases for children in hospitals all over central Iowa. Aaron had been a Boy Scout for 8 years and was a member of the Humboldt Boy Scout Troop #108, recently achieving Life Scout Ranking, awarded the Order of the Arrow, was a National Leadership Trainer and had received numerous merit badges.

Aaron received numerous awards of recognition and achievement which include the following: Altar Server, American Citizenship Award, Pahuk Pride Youth Leadership Training, Who’s Who Among Outstanding Middle School Students (2005-2006 & 2007-2008), Iowa Celebration of Character – Worthy Model of Character – state-wide runner up, and the President’s Education Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement.

Aaron loved sewing pillow cases, cooking, gardening, fishing, painting, camping, and putting together puzzles. He also enjoyed music – playing the guitar, flute, piano, and taking voice lessons. Aaron loved his pets and spending time with his parents – playing catch with his dad, gardening with his mom or riding bikes as a family. He also collected Elvis and Wizard of Oz memorabilia and stuffed animals.

Aaron R. Eilerts, 14, of Eagle Grove and formerly of West Point, NE., died from injuries sustained in a tornado that passed through the Little Sioux Boy Scout Camp near Onawa, Iowa, on Wednesday, June 11, 2008. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Ralph and Dorothy Becker; paternal grandfather, James Eilerts; great-grandparents, James and Lorena Olsen, William and Irene Harstick, August and Clella Eilerts and Otto and Annie Becker; uncle, David Becker and 2 cousins, Tracy Eilerts and Derek Hansen.

Aaron is survived by his parents, Robert and Carol Eilerts of Eagle Grove; grandmother, Janice Eilerts of West Point, NE; aunts and uncles: Mary (Becker) Boston and husband Earl of West Point, NE, Beverly (Becker) Hansen and husband Garry of West Point, NE, William Eilerts and wife Pam of Norfolk, NE, Michael Eilerts and wife Connie of West Point, NE, Susan (Eilerts) Wordekamper and husband Kenneth of West Point, NE, Lori (Eilerts) Batenhorst and husband Dean of Bennington, NE; cousins, great-aunts and uncles and other relatives and friends.

A Vigil Service was held Sunday, June 15, 2008, at the new Middle School/ Elementary Gymnasium in Eagle Grove. Father Paul Lippstock will officiate.

Funeral services will be held Monday, June 16, 2008, at 2 p.m. at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point, Neb. with Father Jerald Gonderinger officiating. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Stokley Funeral Home in West Point, NE. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery in West Point.

Foust Funeral Home, Eagle Grove and Stokely Funeral Home, West Point in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.