Melissa Kay Eastberg, 39, Owatonna

Melissa Kay Eastberg, 39, of Owatonna, died Sunday, March 15, 2015, at Seasons Hospice in Rochester after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Melissa was born Sep. 14, 1975, in Golden Valley, Minnesota, the daughter of Richard Soderstrom and Barbara (Wersal) Nielson. The family moved to Blooming Prairie in 1980. Melissa graduated Blooming Prairie High School in 1994 and attended Rochester Community College. 

Melissa married Kurt Eastberg on Nov. 13, 1999. They resided in the Brainerd area until 2007 when they moved to the Owatonna area. Along with raising her son, Michael, Melissa worked at various businesses.

Melissa’s greatest joy was her son, Michael, and she loved spending time at her grandparents on Big Sandy Lake in McGregor, Minnesota. She enjoyed photography, drawing and crocheting. Melissa had a beautiful smile and loving heart. 

She is survived by her son, Michael Eastberg of Owatonna; husband, Kurt Eastberg of Owatonna; mother, Barb (Dave) Nielson of Owatonna; father, Rick (Mary) Soderstrom of Winter Haven, Florida; sister, Amy (Jim) Holewa of Maple Grove; brother, Kyle (Jenny) Soderstrom of Owatonna; step-sisters and brother, Melissa Chiado of Monticello, KamiAnn (Mitch) Dosh of St. Michael, Romaine (Phil) Pugin of Cannon City, Colorado, Noelle (Tom) Westrum of Duluth, Mark Nielson of Minneapolis, and Shawna Nielson of Faribault; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Adrian and Therese Wersal; paternal grandparents, Wally and Nina Eilers; and Harold Soderstrom.

Funeral services were Saturday, March 21, 2015, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with The Reverend John Sauer officiating. Memorials are preferred to the family or Blooming Prairie Cancer Group P.O. Box 817, Blooming Prairie, MN 55917.