Eric Fuchs

Eric W. Fuchs, age 52 of Long Prairie, passed away surrounded by family on Friday, February 13, 2026 at the CentraCare Hospital in Long Prairie, Minnesota.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. A private inurnment will be held in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Melrose at a later date.

Eric William Fuchs was born December 25, 1973 (a birthday he shared with his mom) in Melrose, Minnesota to Eldred, Jr. and Kaye (Kemper) Fuchs. He was raised in Melrose along with his sister, Lynn. He graduated from Melrose High School in 1992 and briefly went to St. Cloud Technical College for autobody, but decided to join the family business, Fuchs Trucking.

On February 18, 2006 he married Amy Klaphake in Las Vegas, Nevada. Eric and Amy made their home in rural Long Prairie. In 2008, they welcomed son Brandon William to the family, and 2014 daughter Megan Lynn was born.

In his younger years, Eric had fond memories of camping with family and riding along in the semi with his dad. Later he enjoyed riding motorcycle, snowmobiling, ice fishing, deer hunting, stock car racing, collector cars, but one of the most favorite things in life was to go out to eat with family to eat his favorite foods at nearby restaurants. Later he formed Eric Fuchs Trucking and was leased onto Stormy Transport, Shaw Trucking and Trailer Transfer, and for the last 17 years, he was leased onto Fuchs Trucking, working alongside his dad.

Survivors include his wife, Amy Fuchs of Long Prairie; children, Brandon and Megan at home; father, Eldred “Junior” Fuchs and step-mother Cindy of Long Prairie; mother, Kaye Fuchs (Bruce Otte) of Melrose; grandmother, Jean Fuchs of Melrose; step-brother, Ryan (Jill) Lubbers of Osakis; step-sister, Rachel (Kyle) Hukriede of Long Prairie; in-laws, Gerald and Ann Klaphake of Freeport; niece, Brittany Johnson; nephew, Christopher Johnson; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and in-laws.

Eric was preceded in death by his sister, Lynette Fuchs-Johnson on August 11, 2009; grandparents, Ben and Leona Kemper and Eldred Fuchs, Sr.; and uncles, Gary Maus and Robert “Bob” Kemper.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.