Eileen Elizabeth Effertz

Eileen Elizabeth Effertz, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on November 30, 2025, at the age of 86.

Memorial Mass will be at Our Lady of the Prairie on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at 10:30AM. Visitation will be Monday, from 4-7 pm at the Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine and continue one hour prior to the Mass at church. Interment will be in the St. John Catholic Cemetery in Belle Plaine.

She was born on June 26, 1939, in Belle Plaine, Minnesota, to Maurice and Kathleen (Lynch) Walsh. One of six children, she grew up alongside her siblings Rose, Dick, Jack, Bob, and Tom. She graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1957 and later took college courses through the MacPhail Center for Music and received a degree in pastoral administration at St. Catherine’s University.

On April 18, 1959, Eileen married the love of her life, Stan Effertz, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Belle Plaine. Their life together took them briefly to Shakopee, led them to make their home in Edina, and eventually brought them back to Belle Plaine where they raised their four children: Jane, Richard, Donald, and Jean Marie.

Throughout their years in Edina, Eileen and Stan formed cherished lifelong friendships with a close-knit group known as the REGYS, with whom they shared countless memories. As time passed, the family farmstead beckoned, prompting Eileen and Stan to return their family roots to Belle Plaine.

Eileen’s love for music shone throughout her life. She found such joy in singing at church every Sunday, and her passion became a defining part of who she was. She even recorded her own album of Irish songs.

Eileen and Stan shared a deep love of travel, exploring destinations such as Ireland, Wales, Australia, Canada, Europe, and many places across the United States. In their retirement, they embraced winters as snowbirds in Bonita Springs, Florida, where they enjoyed sunsets on Barefoot Beach and pizza at Doc's.

Throughout her life, Eileen found creative solace in her gardens and her writing, cultivating beauty wherever she lived and even capturing her family’s history in a book of her own.

She will be remembered not only for her vibrant spirit and musical gifts, but for the deep, generous love she poured into her family, her friends, and everyone fortunate enough to cross her path.

Eileen's family meant the world to her. She is survived by her children, Richard Effertz, Donald (JoBeth) Effertz, and Jean (Joe) Murphy; her grandchildren, Sarah Murphy, Megan (Gjert) Skaar, Kate (Andy) Halvorsen, Zach Effertz, Marie Effertz, Ellie Murphy, Jack (Allyson) Effertz, Lila Effertz, and Lauren Murphy; and her great-grandchildren, Luka Gleeson, Eleanor Skaar, Nolan Skaar, and Kieran Gleeson. She also leaves behind her sisters-in-law Lavonne Walsh and Margaret (Don) Gregory, and numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, friends, and neighbors.

Eileen is preceded in death by her beloved husband Stan, her daughter Jane, as well as her parents and siblings. Her legacy of love, laughter, and song will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew her.

Our deepest gratitude to the Kingsway Senior Living staff and the Superior Hospice nurses and aides for their exceptional care.