Eric Sundheim

Eric Warren Sundheim, of Willmar, MN, died on December 10, 2021, at 48 years of age at Carris Health Rice Memorial Hospital from Myotonic Dystrophy and complications from COVID.

 A memorial service for Eric will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at Living Hope Evangelical Free Church in Willmar and will be live-streamed at https://subspla.sh/ghqmrbd. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 pm Monday, June 20, at the church and will continue one hour prior to the service on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, monetary gifts are preferred.

Eric was born on April 24, 1973, in Willmar, MN, to Ron and Lu (Warren)Sundheim and was raised in New London, MN.  He was raised in the Christian faith, and attended the Evangelical Covenant Church in New London where he was also confirmed.  He went to school in New London and graduated in 1991 and went on to one year of school at the Covenant Bible College in Prince Albert Saskatchewan Canada.  He made the decision to be baptized there.

Eric worked many retail jobs since high school, up until he died.  He was a hard worker and was enjoyed by coworkers and customers alike at the jobs where he worked. Eric always had a story to tell, whether it was about his family vacations growing up, his time spent at Covenant Bible College in Canada, his time spent helping with the youth group at his home church, or spending time with his family and friends.  He remembered a lot of details of many different events.  Eric almost always had a smile on his face and it would light up the room.  He always seemed to have a joke to tell as well.  Eric was the oldest cousin on his Moms side of the family, and he took that role very seriously.  He loved spending time with his family and extended family, and enjoyed every time he got to spend with them.  Later after Eric married his wife he also loved spending time with her family as well.

Eric met his wife, Jennifer (Crayford), on November 11, 2007 through a mutual friend.  They started dating shortly after and got married on July 24, 2010 at The Evangelical Free Church in Willmar, MN.  They made their home in Willmar and attended the Evangelical Free Church where they got married and where Jennifer is a member.   

Eric loved spending time with his wife.  He would always make it a point to do something special on their Anniversary.  Their Anniversary always fell on the week that they would go to a resort near Park Rapids for his Mom's side family reunion, but sometime during that week, they would always go off and do something special on their own after having special pictures taken at or near the resort.  Eric never complained about Jennifer wanting them to wear coordinating clothes either.  He seemed to actually enjoy it.    Eric also always made a way to drive to the right spots, so that Jennifer could take pictures of the sunsets or any scenery that captured her eye.  He knew that was something she loved to do and he loved to see what she captured.  He also took the role as pet owner graciously as Jennifer is a huge animal lover and he learned to love them as his own.   Eric would make sure he did something special for her birthday, as well, including the year they got engaged.  They went to go pick out rings and on a later date, he proposed.  Jennifer's birthday this year was special in its own way as Eric held on just past her birthday.   

Eric also loved music and loved going to concerts and music festivals including Sonshine for many years.  Eric and Jennifer were able to enjoy many concerts and music festivals together as well.  He is now in heavens choir singing to our Lord and Savior for all of eternity.      

Eric is survived by his wife, Jennifer, of 11 and 1/2 years; his parents, Ron and Lu Sundheim of New London, MN; his sister and brother-in-law, Amy (Lester) Sheneberger of Council, ID; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Sandy Crayford, of Dassel, MN; his wife’s two brothers and sister-in-law, Jason Crayford of Dassel, MN and Jeremy (Jennifer) Crayford of Eagan, MN;  four nephews, Evan (Amanda) Crayford, James Sheneberger, Zach Loes, and Alex Loes;  four nieces, Simone (Peter) Gesch, Erin Crayford, Taylor Sheneberger, and Lexi Sheneberger;  three grandnephews, Linken Geesey, Kyler Geesey and Miller Crayford; one grandniece, Lilah Crayford; many aunts and uncles, cousins and friends.

Eric was preceded in death by his grandparents, Malvin and Sophie Sundheim and Murray and Darlene Warren;  nephew, John Sheneberger; and some aunts, uncles and friends along the way.

            Eric is going to be deeply missed by many.