Amy Eastman

Amy Marie was born November 7, 1972 at the Loretto Hospital, New Ulm to Bill Maggie (Neudecker) Wintheiser. She grew up in Sleepy Eye and attended St. Mary's Catholic School graduating in 1991. She attended Iowa State University in Ames with a scholarship from the USAF, but elected to change services and pay her own way in order to join the Navy ROTC program. She rose through the ranks to become the top Midshipman at the University, serving as the Battalion Commander. She was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy in May of 1995 and served as a Naval Intelligence Officer, circumnavigating the Earth during the course of her career. Amy began her fleet service as Intel Officer at Fixed Wing Fighter Attack Squadron 22 (VFA-22) stationed in Lemoore, CA as part of Air Wing 11 onboard the carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). She cruised the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans as well as the Persian Gulf taking part in Operation Southern Watch. Following this tour, she was reassigned to the Joint Forces Command in Seoul, Korea serving on the Early Warnings and Indications watch floor. Her final tour was at SEAL Team Five based in Coronado, CA as the team Intel Officer. Amy first met her husband, a naval aviator, in 1997. In 1999, Lt. Amy Wintheiser, having accomplished all her goals in the military, decided to resign her commission the following year. She married Phillip W. Eastman at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Sleepy Eye on December 29, 2000. Following her Naval career, Amy found her true vocation as a wife and mother. She had five beautiful children with her husband, Phil. She lovingly home schooled her children and taught them the Catholic faith as her first and highest priority. In late 2006 she was diagnosed with cancer and began her courageous and grueling four-year fight. She drew her strength from her faith and her family and always offered up her suffering for their sake. She never quit or gave up hope. She poured out her life for her children considering it to be her duty, even in the hardest of times; such was her determined nature and the great love she had. Her parents stand in awe just shaking their heads in disbelief. Amy lived for her faith and family; she proudly served God and Country. She died in the state of grace in her husband's arms about a week short of her 38th Birthday. In their hearts and memories Amy will remain forever young. She is survived by her husband, Phil, five children, Madeline, Samuel, Ava, Anna, and Maggie all of Tampa, FL, parents, Bill Maggie Wintheiser of Sleepy Eye, brothers Rick (Mafalda) Wintheiser of Tampa, FL, Randy (Renae) Wintheiser of Savage, MN, sister, Brenda (Rick) Schumann of Burleson, TX, six nephews and two nieces.