Eldin Lueders

April 18, 1933 - July 20, 2020

Eldin Lueders, 87, a long-time resident of Ottertail, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2020. He had been a resident of the Veterans Home in Fergus Falls for nearly two years, and died peacefully at Lake Region Hospital. Eldin was born on April 18, 1933 and lived nearly his whole life in Ottertail, MN. After graduating from Perham High School, he served briefly in the Army. Upon his return to Ottertail, he and his brother took over Ottertail Oil Company, their father’s gas and service station business, where Eldin worked until he retired in 1997. He married Marlys (Luhning) on September 6, 1958 and they made their home in Ottertail until moving to Fergus Falls in 2014. Eldin was an avid sports fan, and especially enjoyed baseball and football. He was particularly proud to have been on the Perham Yellowjacket’s football team that went undefeated and un-scored upon in his senior year of high school. He played country-side league baseball for many years. When he could no longer participate, he became an enthusiastic spectator, and attended hundreds (possibly thousands!) of softball, basketball, volleyball, football, soccer and dance events where his children, grandchildren and even his great-granddaughter were participants. Eldin, or Grandpa Fritz, as his grandchildren called him, was known to always have a miniature chocolate tootsie roll in his shirt pocket for any one of them to climb up on his lap and retrieve. His great-grands were just learning of this sweet little treat, which was even better if it was hidden in the pocket of one of the colorful Hawaiian shirts that we all loved to see him wear. Eldin served on the Ottertail Volunteer Fire Department for 38 years, many of those years as assistant chief. He was an active member of St. John’s Church in Ottertail where he held various offices, including several years as financial secretary and as the church custodian in his retirement. While not a man of many words, Eldin’s faith was a strong example to his family, and a comfort to him his entire life. Eldin is survived by Marlys, his wife of 62 years and his children, Tim (Tammy) Lueders and Sue Ewy; his grandchildren, Kaytlin (Peter) Ewy-Hough, Jake (Maria) Lueders, Tasha (Jared) Gervais, and Justine (Blake) Ricks; and his great-grandchildren Emberlyn Hough, Rhett & Caroline Lueders, Oliver Gervais, and soon to be arriving Baby Boy Ricks. Preceding him in death were his 4 siblings, Leora True, Viola Brutlag, Elverna Blesi, and Delbert Lueders. A private family service will be held at St. John’s in Ottertail, Rev. Karl Weber officiating. Arrangements are provided by the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls. Online condolences may be sent to www.olsonfuneralhome.com