Eric A. Kaeding

Eric A. Kaeding, 37 of Devils Lake, ND passed away in his sleep on Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at his home. 

Funeral Services for Eric will be held on Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 10:30 am at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Tom Westcott officiating. Burial will follow at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery, rural Penn, ND. 

Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Monday, October 14, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a time of prayer and remembrance at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Tuesday at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. 

Eric Albert Kaeding, precious son of Myron and Rita (Kirk) Kaeding was born on September 30, 1982 in Cando, ND. He grew up on the family farm south of Penn.  He attended Minnewaukan Public School, graduating as Valedictorian class of 2001 where he participated in football and basketball.  Eric made his home in Devils Lake and after many years of helping friends and family with farming became the proud owner of E K Construction.

Eric joined the North Dakota Army National Guard in 2001 and honorably served with the Guard for 9 years. He was called up to active duty and was called to serve during the Fargo Flood Fight.  He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant in 2010.

Eric’s passions were anything that involved being outdoors and playing in the snow and mud with his friends. He was an integral member of the Buckhorn Family. These hobbies took Eric and his friends on many adventures including trips to Yellowstone, Florida for the Daytona 500, and in recent years Brainerd, Minnesota for the NHRA Drag racing nationals.  Then along came his son Elijah, his pride and joy, his world.  Life became all about Elijah and together they discovered a new passion; Junior Dragster Racing.  This new passion became a family affair, and another opportunity to make so many new friends. 

Eric’s joy and adventures multiplied when he became engaged to Kathryn this past winter and her son Sam came into his life. The family of four was joyfully planning a wedding for this upcoming February in Hawaii. Together they made a point to live each day to the fullest, make each day an adventure to treasure, and to make sure their kids knew the promises of his Lord and Savior as members of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. His positive attitude, his bright smile, and his joyful heart were an inspiration to so many others.

We cannot imagine our life without Eric, but we will hold forever in our hearts his love, his passions and the many moments of joy and life we shared with him.

Eric will be so greatly missed by his son Elijah; his parents Rita Kaeding and Myron (Linda) Kaeding both of Devils Lake; brother Carl (Chelsea) Kaeding, Eagan, MN; sister Jennelle (Derek) Holt, Fargo, ND; fiancé Kathryn Yurkonis and her son Sam Reynolds also of Devils Lake; 3 nephews and 3 nieces Tanner, Chloe, Sophie, Brooks, Penelope and Daxton; grandmother Arlene Kirk; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Laurence Kirk, Bennie and Olga Kaeding, aunt Ruth (Kirk) Gordon, and Uncle Edward Kaeding.