Conrad Eidem

LIFE HISTORY FOR CONRAD EIDEM
Conrad Eidem, age 95 of Osakis died on Saturday evening, January 26, 2008 at the Community Memorial Home in Osakis where he was a resident.
Conrad Bertram Eidem was born on March 5, 1912 in Marietta, Minnesota to Gunder and Anna (Wold) Eidem. He grew up in South Dakota and Minnesota then moved to Minneapolis as a young man to work as a baker at Emrick's Bakery. He was drafted into the service during WWII but was then dropped because of age limitations. He went to work as a welder for DuPonti Aviation division building gliders for the US Army. On June 9, 1934 Conrad was united in marriage to Alice Pearson in Minneapolis. Conrad attended Dunwoody Institute for welding and then worked as a welder for the Minneapolis Gas Co. and Minnegasco (now known as Centerpoint Energy). In 1946 Conrad invented gas conversion burners for coal furnaces that were called the Eidem Burner. After this invention, Conrad worked independently as an inventor and developer doing welding and sheet metal work. He retired in 1977 after a melanoma was discovered in his eye. The Eidem's moved to Big Sauk Lake in Sauk Centre. After five years there they moved to Glenwood and eventually to the Assisted Living Apartments in Osakis in 2003.
Conrad was a member of the Barsness Lutheran Church of Glenwood and was a lifetime union member of the United Association Metal Trade Journeymen.
Some of his hobbies included fishing, hunting pheasants and traveling. He enjoyed having time to work on projects in his shop such as building metal ornaments and bird feeders and bird houses which he would often give away to family and friends. He also had a huge collection of nuts and bolts which he had accumulated over the years. Conrad was an avid Twins baseball fan and listened to the games on the radio or watched them on television.
He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Alice Eidem of Osakis; two sons, Chuck (Sandra) Eidem of Bloomington and Richard (Marilyn) Eidem of Osakis; 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial services will be held for Conrad on Friday, February 1, 2008 at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Osakis with Rev. Eileen Mehl officiating. Organist is Ellen Bangtson and soloist is Dana Hetland. A lunch will be provided by the church women. Inurment will be at the Pleasant View Memorial Gardens in Burnsville, MN.
Arrangements are by the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis, MN.

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