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BLUE EARTH -- Eileen Mensing, 91, of Blue Earth, passed away Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, at United Hospital District. A funeral service is planned for Tuesday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Earth. Visitation will be one hour before the service. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Blue Earth. Online condolences can be left at www.pattonfh.com
Eileen Ann (Gartzke) Mensing was born on June 11, 1935, to Harold and Alice (Skogen) Gartzke at home in Blue Earth. She was baptized at Salem United Brethren Church and was confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church. She graduated from Blue Earth High School in 1953, where she was very involved in school activities including band, orchestra, choir, class play, and many other groups. She was homecoming queen in 1952.
On Oct. 2, 1954, she was married to Don (Butch) Mensing, her classmate, best friend, and the love of her life. They had three sons: Mark S. (Diane) of Blue Earth, Dave (Deb) of Bloomington, and Donn (Shelley) of New Richmond, Wis.; eight grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
During her life, she worked many jobs: Dental Assistant to Dr. Wheeler, Wolf's Dress shop, clerk at Blue Earth State Bank and People's Savings and Loan. When her parents purchased the Greenhouse in 1955, she went to work as a floral designer. After 25 years, she left that career and went back to being a dental assistant for Dr. Jerry Thoreson. She retired in 1995.
In 1987 they bought a lot on Lake Jefferson and, together with their three sons, built a year-round home. They moved to the lake in 1999 and lived there 20 years before moving back to Blue Earth to an apartment for the winter.
Eileen loved to travel, spending two or three months in Arizona for 15 years. They went on cruises to Alaska, Norway, and the Caribbean. They spent 10 days in Italy, but her favorite place was Hawaii.
She was a great cook and loved to bake, making the best peach pie and (grandma) sugar cookies ever. She never saw a recipe she didn't want to try.
She served on the School Board from 1968-1974, She was named outstanding lady for 1970.
If she wasn't baking, she was doing Swedish weaving and made Afghans for the grandchildren. She loved all sports; high school, Gophers, and Pro. For several years they had season tickets to Gopher football games. She loved to entertain and be with family. She also loved to play Bridge with her friends in two bridge clubs.