Colleen Derner sitting on a drawer turned upside down on the Derner farm yard.

Colleen W. Eich

Colleen Wilhelmine Eich of Sun City, Arizona, passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at the age of 92. She was born on September 10, 1930, in Manilla, Iowa, the daughter of John and Lisetta (Sinow) Derner.

She graduated from Manilla High School in 1949. She married Lyle Eich in Carroll, Iowa, on June 6, 1949. To this union two sons were born: Steven 1950 and Bruce 1954. Lyle was a Postal Inspector with the United States Postal Service and his job required frequent moves. The family lived in Council Bluffs, Iowa; London, Kentucky; Paducah Kentucky; Texarkana Texas; and Ankeny Iowa. Lyle retired in 1980 and they moved to Rogers, Arkansas, for retirement.

Colleen worked as a beautician and housewife. She was actively involved in Church activities, card games, being with friends and family, organ classes, and social activities. She was a devout Lutheran and her strong faith was important to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Lisetta (Sinow) Derner; husband: Lyle Richard Eich; son: Steven Eich; brothers and sisters: Merlin Derner, Iona Carter, Roland Derner, and Arletta Christiansen.

She is survived by her son, Bruce (Kristen) Eich of Tempe, Arizona; brother-in-law, Allan (Ruth) Eich of Manning, Iowa; nephew, Ron (Marilyn) Carter, niece, Linda Derner-Ostrand.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service at Manning City Cemetery on Friday, May 26, 2023, at 2 pm.
Interment to follow at Manning City Cemetery, Manning, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to Zion Lutheran Church, Manning, Iowa. This was the Church where Colleen was baptized (October 11, 1931) and confirmed (November 21, 1946) and regularly attended while growing up.
https://obituaries.neptunesociety.com/obituaries/tempe-az/colleen-eich-11100831

From the 2006 Manning Quasquicentennial history book


Back: Colleen, Roland, Iona, Merlin, Arletta
Front: John, Lisetta
John H., son of Hans and Augusta (Stein) Derner, was born October 3, 1894, on a farm north of Manning. He grew up on the family farm southwest of Manning. On June 6, 1917, John married Lisetta Sinow, daughter of Emil and Wilhelmina (Goettsch) Sinow at Carroll, Iowa. They began farming south of Manning and in 1922 moved to a farm five miles west and a half-mile south of Manning. John and Lisetta farmed until 1949, and then lived in Manning. John died May 2, 1970, and Lisetta died October 8, 1993.

John and Lisetta had five children. Merlin (1917-1997) married Doris Johnson. Merlin served in the Air Force from April 1942 to January 1946 and was stationed at Okinawa.

Iona (May 20, 1919) of Clinton, Iowa, married Mack Carter (deceased). Roland (April 13, 1921 - July 22, 2005) married Laura Maloy, and they live on the Derner homeplace.

Arletta (August 22, 1927) married Gail Christiansen (deceased) and resides in Spokane, Washington.

Colleen (September 10, 1930) married Lyle Eich (deceased) and resides in Sun City, Arizona. There are seven grandchildren. Two grandchildren are deceased, Steven Eich (1950-1985) and Dennis Carter (1942-2002).

Roland C., son of John and Lisetta Derner was born on a farm south of Manning called the Free Grove place. In 1922 the family moved to a farm five miles west and a half-mile south of Manning. Roland began farming in 1947 and September 21, 1947, married Laura Maloy, daughter of Orval and Lillian (Macumber) Maloy of Manilla. They purchased the land from Lisetta Derner in 1974.

Roland and Laura have one daughter born April 9, 1948. Linda is married to John Ostrand, and they live in De Soto, Iowa.

Roland and Laura retired from farming, and Laura continues to live on their farm.