Lana Dannenbring-Eichstadt
May 29, 1966 ~ November 21, 2017
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Lana Dannenbring-Eichstadt, 51, of Wolsey, passed away surrounded by her family Tuesday, November 21, 2017 at her home.
Funeral Mass was held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 27, 2017 at the Wessington Auditorium with Father Chester Murtha and Father Paul Josten, celebrants. Burial followed at McCord Cemetery, rural Wolsey. Visitation was held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, November 26, 2017 with a 5:00 p.m. prayer service, all at St. Joseph Church, Wessington.
Lana Lynnell Dannenbring-Eichstadt was born on May 29, 1966, in DeSmet, SD, to Leslie and Norma (Hein) Dannenbring. She was baptized in DeSmet. She was a member of Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wessington, SD.
She married Greg Eichstadt on June 11, 1988, in DeSmet. The couple made their home on a farm between Wolsey, SD and Wessington, SD. They had two sons, Herman Eichstadt and Henry Eichstadt.
Lana grew up in the “Little Town on the Prairie” of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. She played various characters in the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant including both Ma and Mary Ingalls. She was also a tour guide for the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society for eight years. Lana played in the first three South Dakota State Volleyball Tournaments. Lana graduated from DeSmet High School and attended Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, MN, Huron University, Huron, SD, the College of Saint Scholastica, Duluth, MN, and Augustana University, Sioux Falls, SD. She earned her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Education and a specialist certificate in Educational Technologies.
She was a teacher at Miller High School Miller, SD, for nineteen years. She was the course author & lead teacher in Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition at the Northern State University Center for Statewide E-learning, Aberdeen, SD from 2008 until her health failed in 2016. She also served as the executive secretary and scholar for the South Dakota Humanities Council. She served as a judge for the South Dakota State Fair. Lana was a member of Chapter AK P.E.O. in Miller. She served on the Wessington Economic Development Corporation for many years. She was the website and social media developer for the town of Wessington and for her former student, Shannon LaBau.
Lana enjoyed spending time with family, friends, and dogs, teaching, writing, reading, gardening, decorating, and the South Dakota State Fair. Lana and her family volunteered at the Oglala Lakota Child Protection Agency in Pine Ridge, SD, and the Beadle County Nutrition Site for many years.
Lana is survived by her husband, Greg; sons, Henry and Herman (Courtney); mother-in-law, Delores Eichstadt, Wolsey, SD; brother, Lex (Sandra) Dannenbring, Parkersburg, IA; sisters, Lane (James) Carroll of Colman, SD, Portia (Curtis) Larsen of Arlington, SD, Lew (Roger) Page of DeSmet, SD; Godson, Patrick (Amy) Carroll, Flandreau, SD; sisters-in-law, Marilyn (Dwight) Kruse, Brookings, SD, and Carmen Dannenbring, DeSmet, SD; brothers-in-law, Kevin (Laura) Eichstadt, Huron, SD, Rodney (Kathleen) Eichstadt, Wolsey, SD, Phillip (Julie) Eichstadt, Aberdeen, SD, Keri Sorensen, Avondale, AZ; aunt and uncle, Rita and Milton Handel, Freeman, SD; aunt, Beatrice Hein, Ipswich, SD; and aunt, Donna Egan, Sturgis, SD; nieces: Ann (Brandon, Ava, Aden) Bunker, Jennifer (Doug, Jaycee, Alyssa, Owen) Welbig, LariAnn (Adam) Helzer, Lisa (Casey, Isabel, Kyle, Lane, Tabor) Liebsch, Gina (Alexander, Grace, Sara) Dannenbring, Josie (Chad, Gabe, Julia) Mostek, Provatia (James, Louis) Pietile, Letitia (Martin, Lucy, Sam, Marcie) Fashbaugh, Ashley (Jeremy, Landon, Kaleb, Isabella) Schafer; nephews: Adam (Tasha, Joseph, Myles, Gabby, Max) Dannenbring, Alex (Rachel, Conrad) Dannenbring, Matthew (Candace, Copper, Brielle) Carroll, Timothy (Stephanie, Waylon, Whitney, Warner) Carrol, Patrick (Amy) Carroll, Jeffrey Carroll, Derek (Jill, Trevor, Ellie) Etjen, Daren Etjen, Damian (Dordaneh Rachel) Potvin, Brian (Amy, Brett, Rachel, Carson) Page, Jay (Teri Joe, Hadley, Hayes) Eichstadt, Jordan (Clarissa) Kruse, and James, Jeff, Jason Kruse; aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; father-in-law, Dale Eichstadt, two brothers: Lon and Lee Dannenbring; one brother-in-law, Stacey Eichstadt; and one nephew, Andrew Dannenbring.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred for future contribution in Lana’s memory.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Lana's arrangements.
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Greg, Herman and Henry our thoughts are with you during this time. Lana was a bright spot in my life and always will be! Hold tight to your memories and she will always be with you. I will always smile whenever I think of her so I believe I will smile a lot! our very deepest sympathy
I am so sad to hear this news, Lana was one of my Camper Friends at the SD State Fair, however like so many she was more than that. She judged Literature for Static Exhibits and brought her family to the fair every year for a reunion and always stopped in before during and after the Fair. We shared another bond, her first son Herman was born the same day as my son JP, we always updated each other on their lives too. She made me a book of pictures of her families Decorate Your Campsite on one of the many years they won, its titled We Would Rather Miss Christmas Than The State Fair, well my beautiful friend you have done that, fly high with the angels.
I am so very sorry for your loss! She was a fun, energetic & caring teacher! We will miss her! My prayers are with you all!
Love and prayers to Lana’s family. She was so much fun to work with on our literary trail. Larry & Sherry Van Zee
Ms. D was one of the best teachers Miller High School ever had. She was loved by all her students and anyone who knew her.
My sincere condolences to the Eichstadt and Dannenbring families. I remember well the first time I met Lana. She immediately made me feel welcomed in her home. I will always remember Lana as someone who loved her family, friends, and students completely. She was kind and generous with a quick wit and easy way about her. It has been many years since I’ve seen her, but I will always be grateful for that season in her path. I send my love and prayers for the repose of Lana’s soul and peace and comfort to all those who feel this loss so profoundly.
My sincere sympathy to the family of Lana Dannenbring Eichstadt.
Our hearts are heavy for the family of Lana. She was a wonderful, awesome person and one of my kids favorite teachers. I’ve heard so many wonderful stories of how she taught, and I’ve experienced her kind heart many times. She leaves a void in our community for sure.
Prayers to the family and friends of Ms. D. She was such an amazing lady. One of the best teachers anyone could ask for growing up in Miller. She always had a smile on her face and was always there for you when you needed her. May she rest in peace and may God wrap his arms around her family as they lay to rest one of the most wonderful ladies around.
Sending prayers to your family. We have many fond memories of Ms D. As I am sure you do too. We will all miss her very much. And are grateful to have known her and had her for a teacher.
She was likely the only teacher who could make speech class fun and slightly less akward. I remember making up a speech with only her in the room, the topic was Kurt Cobain. We jammed to the album ‘Nevermind’ for about 20 minutes after my speech. She had a heart of gold and was truly one of a kind. You will be missed by the many lives you impacted. Rest easy Mrs. D.
She was such an inspiration to me and to my children!!
So sad to hear of Lana’s passing. She was a fun and wonderful classmate. Prayers for her family.
So sorry for your loss..My prayers are with you and your family.
Sorry for your loss Our Deepest Sympathy Dr. Dick and Kathy Splichal
Thoughts and prayers with your family during this time.
To the Dannenbring-Eichstadt Family, My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Lana was in education and it was through Lane we at Colman-Egan got to know what a neat person Lana was. I asked her to come to our school for a Reading Night. She was unable to, but wanted all the children to receive one of her books. They were wonderful books for children. She wrote from her heart and about her family. Heaven has gained another angel. She now leaves you with wonderful memories. Hold those close to your heart. God bless you.
We are so sad to hear of Lanas passing. Lana was a wonderful person.. She always came to our salon with a great story and always knew how to make us laugh.. I will always remember how she was always helping everyone around her with any tasks they gave her:) Truly blessed to have Lana as a client for many years!!!! We will miss her so much!!! We love you Lana. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family!! Love always, Ashley, Shanna, and Jessica
From Kindergarten to graduation, thanks for helping make school a little more bearable. Rest in peace
My deepest sympathy to the entire family.
Oh Lana. You were simply the sweetest ever. We are all so lucky to have known you. Prayers and sympathy to your loving family. Judy Page
Lana was one of the most positive and sweet lady, upper classman I had the privilege to know for,the past 30plus years. Nothing got her down. Even with this awful dease she was not about to let it get the best of her or if she wasn’t feeling well Ya sure couldn’t tell!! Going to miss your visitis in De Smet. Going to miss your goofy sense of humor and most of all your contagious smile. Love and prayers to the family.
Ms. Lana was my AP teacher online in high school. She was one of the most passionate, enthusiastic, and intentional teachers I have ever had. I learned so much through her class, but what impacted me the post was Ms. Lana’s relational approach to teaching. She would send personalized gifts to us periodically throughout the semester. "She would also send us "pep-rally" e-mails before our big exam!! Her last lecture she recorded for our class, she started crying, because she was going to miss us. She was truly extraordinary. At the time I took her class, I was thinking about going into teaching. She confirmed this passion as she showed me what it looks like to invest in students even through an online format. Now as I pursue my teaching degree, I pray that I can have even part of the impact that Ms. Lana has had on me!
Our hearts are with the whole family today. Lana was greatly loved by all, and will be missed by all. Her life was full of meaning and purpose. You will all miss her tremendously. We take comfort in knowing she is in the hands of a loving God, and there is really no better place to be. – from cousin Terry (Miller) and wife Ingrid, Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada.
Our hearts go out to the whole family, Lana was a wonderful lady, will her SMILE. Hugs from Andy and Betty Vincent
I’m so sorry for your loss. She was an excellent teacher and role model. I graduated in 1995 from Miller.
I am terribly sorry to hear of the loss of dear Lana. May you take comfort in knowing that every single tear that falls from our eyes, does not escape our loving Heavenly Father’s notice. He is aware of our pain and promises to end all suffering. (Revelation 21:3,4) May these words be a source of comfort to all.
We are so sorry to hear of Lana"s passing. We remember her being active in the Community Theatre in Huron when we were involved. She was great in "Night Nurses". She was a talented gal, she will be missed.
My sympathy is for all of you, but especially for Portia, whom I remember from years ago with a youth church trip. I’ve never forgotten her but probably wouldn’t recognize her after all these years. I’m saying some prayers for all of you, Lana’s loved ones. May our loving Lord give you comfort and strength. Heaven will bring us together again. Sincerely, Jan Reinschmidt
Sorry for your loss. She will be missed by many. Our Deepest Sympathy Dr. Dick and Kathy Splichal