Eileen LaVonne Stechmann

Eileen LaVonne (Otto) Stechmann, 87, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2026, at Goodhue Living surrounded by family. Eileen was born on February 13, 1939, to Fritz and Frieda (nee Ziegenhagen) Otto in Morgan, Minnesota. She was baptized into the Christian faith on February 17,1939, at her parent’s home by the Rev. Wilbert Frank and confirmed on May 18, 1952, at Zion Lutheran Church, Morgan.

Eileen cherished her hometown and the friends and family there. She loved her first job at Pete’s, working at the counter and selling popcorn on the Morgan streets as the band played. Eileen graduated from Morgan High School in 1957 and enrolled in an Emergency Teacher Training Program at Dr. Martin Luther College, New Ulm. Her first teaching call brought her to Goodhue, Minnesota where she taught primary grades at St. Johns, rural Goodhue. She was a teacher at heart her whole life and volunteered teaching Vacation Bible School and Saturday Catechism instructions at Christ Lutheran Church, Zumbrota. Additionally, she volunteered with the 4-H program and participated in a long-term Goodhue County Extension Home Study Group.

Eileen married Howard Stechmann on September 9, 1961, at Zion Lutheran Church, Morgan. Together they farmed Edgewood Farm for 51 years in rural Zumbrota. There they raised three children, their dairy herd and young stock, hundreds of barn cats, and some very special dogs. Eileen embraced farming, milking, caring for the livestock and keeping the books. She was always prepared to serve lunch in the field or a meal at the kitchen or dining room table. She was best known for her cinnamon rolls, dill pickles, and corn hot dish.

As her children left the home, Eileen worked part time jobs in the community. She was a dietary assistant at Pine Haven Care Center, a desk clerk at the Zumbrota Super 8 and a waitress at the Zumbrota Livestock Auction Market. She was active in Christ Lutheran’s women’s ministries and sang monthly with the residents at the Zumbrota Care Facility. Eileen spent time caring for people in the ways she knew best: with her time and prayers, writing notes and letters, and feeding them. She was a constant counted on by many that will miss her dearly. She enjoyed gardening, listening to music, dancing, traveling, watching the birds, and spending time with her canine companions, notably Rosie, the last few years. She loved sunrises and the promises that each new day held.

Eileen is survived by her children Jodi (Paul) Coady of Zumbrota, Jonathan (Kara) Stechmann of Edina and Connie (Thomas) Lebakken of Brooklyn, Wisconsin, grandchildren Elissa Coady, Benjamin (Morgan) Coady, Eva, Hank and Kate Stechmann, Mya (Corbin) Schroeder, and Aaron Lebakken; great-granddaughter Maison Eileen Coady; Sister-in-Law Marlys Miller; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Eileen was preceded in death by her husband, Howard, parents, brothers, Delbert and LeRoy Otto, niece Robin Otto Thelen, sisters and brothers-in law Donna Otto, Kathy Flynn, Lorraine and Reynold Matthees, Renata and Millard Ripley, Frank Miller, JoAnn and Merlin Lindhart.

The family would like to thank Dr. Daligga and the Mayo Clinic teams for their excellent care for many years and all the loving staff at Goodhue Living and Mayo Hospice and faithful pastoral care.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16th, 2026, at Christ Lutheran Church in Zumbrota with Rev. Todd Engel officiating. Visitation will take place from 5-7pm on Monday, June 15th, 2026, at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson Chapel, and an hour prior to the service. Burial at Zumbrota Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Christ Lutheran Church or the donor’s choice.

The service will be live streamed through Christ Lutheran Church, a link will be posted. Arrangements made by Mahn Family Funeral Home, Larson Chapel.