Rev. Emil Eberhart, 83, passed away on October 22, 2026. Emil was a retired elder in the Dakotas Conference of the United Methodist Church. He is married to Dakotas retired elder Rev. Penelope "Penny" Eberhart.

Emil served in various forms of pastoral ministry in the Evangelical United Brethren and United Methodist Churches in South Dakota, Illinois, and Minnesota. Appointments in the Dakotas Conference included Bismarck First (student intern), Tripp County, Arlington-Lake Preston, Sioux Falls Minister at Large - Asbury & Sunnycrest-Ellis, Dell Rapids-Garretson, SD State Penitentary Chaplain, Aberdeen Faith, Brookings, Groton-Conde-Andover, Sioux Falls First, McCook Lake, and Sioux Falls Hilltop. In retirement, he served Dakotas Conference churches at Canistota United, Aberdeen North Highland, and Flandreau-Egan. 

Visitation will take place at Lien-Straub-Carlsen Chapel in Eureka, South Dakota, on Sunday, October 25 from 5-6:30 pm, with a Memorial Service being held on Monday, October 26, beginning at 1 pm at Saving Grace Community Church in Eureka, South Dakota (the former Eureka United Methodist Church). There will be a time for visitation an hour prior to the service and a graveside service and light lunch following.  Rev. Jenny Hallenbeck Orr will officiate. The family has requested a clergy choir. Clergy are invited to gather for rehearsal at noon on Monday at the church in Eureka. Rev.  Steve Ziebarth will be directing.

A second visitation will take place on Sunday afternoon, November 1, at The Gables Care Center at Boutwells Landing at 13575 58th St N, Oak Park Heights, MN 55082.

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