Kenneth William Eaton

Kenneth William Eaton, age 101 of Waseca, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Mill City Senior Living in Faribault surrounded by his family.

Ken was born to Oscar and Mabel Eaton on July 26, 1924. He served as a Staff Sargeant in the U.S. Army during World War II from May 1945 to October 1946. He was honorably discharged. Part of his tour was training new recruits. The trainer never left him. He would lead his children and Bible Campers in the cadence “You Had a Good Home and you Left, Right, Left, Right …” where Ken stopped at “left” and the children responded “right”.

On May 3, 1946 he married Harriet Elaine Peterson. They were married 78 years and began raising children and invested themselves in what they truly loved, farming. Ken ran the family farm for 69 years until he retired at age 90. After doing his part (planting the crop) he would say that “the rest is up to the Lord”. His favorite part was bringing in the harvest with people he loved. Ken chose not to work on Sundays to honor the Lord. He wrote and presented The Miracle of Corn, to his grandchildren’s school groups, giving credit to God’s great design.

On January 20, 1950, Ken trusted the Lord at a Billy Graham gathering in Austin, MN. His life was never the same. His walk of faith guided his life and attitude. He was devoted to Vista Covenant Church and the community. He held most, if not all, of the church’s leadership positions. However, the one that brought him the most joy was Lake Beauty Bible Camp Coordinator for 30 years. One year, he had 75 kids attend camp, a testament to his passion.

Ken was a faithful, generous and joyful man who always made time to be of service to his family, Vista, and the community. He helped organize and went on several mission trips. His desire to celebrate God led him to learn how to play the trumpet and start a band at Vista, and his kids followed in his musical steps. Ken and Harriet kept “family first” alive building multi-generational memories by hosting a three-day annual gathering for all the extended family at Cedar Valley Resort near Lanesboro, MN. Ken had a good, dry sense of humor. When a friend asked for a wagon of corn for his horses, Ken delivered the corn in a child’s Red Flyer wagon. Evidence of a well-lived life can be seen in the breadth of connections Ken and Harriet had with friends of all ages, from young to old.

Ken and Harriet loved to travel visiting all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Israel, Norway and Sweden. He was blessed with a curiosity about people and places and particularly enjoyed mountain scenery and traveling to the southern states to see the dogwoods bloom in the spring. He converted a van into a camping vehicle in which they traveled across the country for many years. Ken was a physical activity enthusiast. He inspired family sit-up contests and enjoyed bike riding. He could frequently be spotted riding his 3-wheeled bike around Clear Lake until age 98.

Ken was preceded in death by: his wife Harriet Eaton, his daughter Gail (Ted) Johnson, his parents Oscar and Mabel Eaton, and his siblings Harold (Donna), Mary (Milan) Prechel, Emily (Paul) Speakman, and Stanley (Dorothy). He is survived by his children, Steve (JoAnn) Eaton, Dave (Shawnee) Eaton, Sherrie (Pat) Murphy, Brian (Cindy) Eaton, and Ted (Margy) Johnson. He leaves behind 14 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at Vista Covenant Church, 14679 275th Avenue, New Richland, MN 56072. With visitation starting at 10:00 am. Rev. Brian Schanil will officiate. Visitation will also be held from 4:00 – 7:00pm on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at Dennis Steffel Omtvedt Funeral and Cremation Services, 109 3rd Street NE, Waseca, MN 56093. Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to Vista Covenant Church.