Eric Palmer
Eric G. Palmer, 50, passed away after a long battle with brain cancer, at home surrounded by his family, July 15, 2024. A private burial will be held with Pastor William Odermann and Pastor Bryan Robertson officiating. A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, July 26 from 3-7 p.m. at the Allamakee County Fairgrounds Pavilion, Waukon.
Memories are made to be shared. Please take a moment to write down your favorite memory made with Eric and share it with us. Notecards will be available for those who need them at the Celebration of Life. Memorials can be made to Gundersen Palmer Lutheran Hospice, The Hope Lodge, Veterans Memorial Hospital, or St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon.
Eric Gregg Palmer was born November 16, 1973, in Waukon, the son of Greg and Ruth (Miller) Palmer. He was a life-long member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. He grew up on the family dairy farm outside of Waukon and graduated from Waukon High School in 1992. Upon graduation, he attended Northeast Iowa Community College, receiving his Associate of Arts degree in 1994, and returned home to farm full time with his dad.
Eric was joined together in marriage to Stephanie L. Menne March 24, 2001. He and Stephanie bought into ownership of the family dairy herd in 2005 and worked their way to buy the entire herd in January of 2019. They took great pride in taking excellent care of the cows, evident by the numerous quality and production awards the herd received. Eric was very honored to receive the 2008 Allamakee County Outstanding Young Dairy Family Award, the 2016 District 1 Outstanding Young Holstein Breeder Award, the 2020 Allamakee County Distinguished Dairy Family Award, and the 2017 Region 4 Conservation Farmer of the Year Award. Eric loved spending hours driving the John Deere tractors to do the field work, and he never gave up on a sick or injured animal.
In 2016, after experiencing unusual headaches, Eric underwent a brain operation, complicated by a stroke during surgery. Eric spent two weeks recovering, regaining strength in his left side, and doing extensive physical therapy, which helped him make almost a complete recovery. He was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma Multiforme, a very aggressive brain cancer. Eric partook in a research study through Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN where he spent six weeks receiving high doses of radiation combined with daily chemo treatments to battle his cancer.
Eric was able to perform most normal daily tasks on the farm. However, over time, due to damage from high levels of radiation and chemotherapy treatments, and effects from his disease slowly returning, Eric lost half of the vision in both eyes, and began having balance issues and muscle rigidity.
This resulted in him losing the ability to drive and work with the cattle.
As Eric’s abilities declined, due to the disease progression, Stephanie and the kids, with help from Eric’s dad, Greg; their neighbor, Lyle; their hired hand, Daniel; and some hired milking help, kept things going on the farm. However, as his health continued to decline, early in 2022, Eric entered the Hospice program. A very difficult decision was made, and the dairy herd was dispersed October 21, 2022.
Eric loved his family and the dairy farm. He spent his spare time following his kids’ school activities and especially loved watching their sporting events. He also followed in-state collegiate sports, especially football and basketball.
Eric is survived by his wife, Stephanie (Menne) Palmer, and their children, Madalyn, Emma, Keagan, and Sophia, all at home, of Waukon; his father and step-mother, Greg and Marlene Palmer of Waukon; his siblings: Chris (Lee) Ellickson of Waukon, Beth (Brian) Heydn of Columbia, MO, Ross (Krissy) Palmer of Gretna, NE, John (Meghan) Palmer of Waukon, and Aaron (Rachael) Palmer of Decorah; his fatther- and mother-in-law, Richard and Kathy Menne of West Union; his brothers- and sisters-in-law: Jason (Sara) Menne of Postville, and Amy (Mike) Ihde and Marc (Susan) Menne, all of West Union; numerous nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Ruth (Miller) Palmer; and his grandparents: Lee Palmer and Barbara (Howard) Palmer Bergeson, Fred and Marge Miller, and Byron and Esther Thomas.
Honorary urn bearers are Ed Bieber, Dan Bergin, Jim Cooper, Scott Courtney, Dave Ericson, David Gibbs, Shawn Gibbs, Jessica Hammel, Dave Heitman, Jason Howe, Kenny Liddiard, Derek Pronga, Lyle Stock, Mark Stock, Dave Wadsworth, Daniel Wirkler, and Chris Viljoen.
We had a lot of support through Eric’s battle with cancer. We appreciated each and every prayer, meal, donation, and hug. Thank you, especially to his care team at Gundersen Palmer Hospice - especially including Kylie, Mary, Bea, and Roland. Also, thank you to Dr. Ledderman, Dr. Balakrishnan, Dr. Laack, Dr. Letendre, and all the nurses and medical staff whom have cared for Eric through the years.
