Helen “Hossi” Eichsteadt Hostvedt, was called to the Lord on Friday, May 9, 2025 at the age of 64. She was working out at the health club, doing what she loved, when complications arose.
Helen “Hossi” was born October 17, 1960 in Marshfield, WI, to parents Don and Sally Hostvedt. She was the eldest daughter of three children. Helen “Hossi” graduated from Merrill Senior High School in 1979. She attended UW-La Crosse for one year, majoring in art. She then attended Mid-State technical College in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, and received her associate degree in business.
In 1993, while working with American Security at Federal Cartridge in Anoka, Minnesota, she met Greg Wood. They developed a loving, caring relationship, and had been together for 32 years. She then took a job at Mercy Hospital as a security guard for more than 10 years. Finally, Hossi landed an excellent job at Costco where she was a devoted, tireless employee for seven years, and was loved by everyone she met. Hossi was a caring, friendly person, with a great sense of humor. She devoted her life to fostering five Great Danes and adopting five. Hossi enjoyed taking walks with Greg and their dogs. They also took many motorcycle rides whenever they could. Her passion was working out at the health club and worshiping in church.
She was preceded in death by her loving mother, Sally Hostvedt; aunt Grace and uncle Maurice Brown. Hossi is survived by her lifelong partner, Greg Wood; loving father, Don Hostvedt; siblings, Sarah (Jeff) Monti and Jim (Kimberly) Hostvedt; nieces, Leah (Brent) Seavecki, Isabella (Dylan) Ruplinger, and Olivia Hostvedt; great nephews, Tayson Seavecki, Colton Ruplinger, Lawson Ruplinger, Walker Ruplinger, and Briggs Ruplinger; and uncle Tom Hostvedt and many other family members and friends.
Join us to celebrate Helen’s “Hossi” life from 3 to 7 pm on Friday, May 23, 2025, at Gearhart Funeral Home, 11275 Foley Blvd NW, Coon Rapids. Her final resting place will be in Merrill, WI next to her mother.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Hossi’s name can be made to Upper-Midwest Great Dane Rescue or LifeSource Organ Donation or American Heart Association.
