Memorial planned for 'Ike' who 'just liked to wear women’s clothing'

William Eickholt, a 74-year-old Denmark Township resident known as “Ike” was found dead in February alongside a roadway in Hastings.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office said someone shot Eickholt in the head. Some think it was because of the way he dressed.

“He just liked to wear women's clothing,” said Mitch Carmody, a local resident who knew Ike and organized the memorial.

"We all thought we knew him separately,” he added. “We would see a man dressed in women's clothing walking on the road.”

But as he posted notices about the memorial service, many people approached him saying they too knew Ike, who Carmody said frequented bars in Prescott and Hastings.

 "I guess we need to get back to a community and gather, and this is just the way to do it,” Carmody said.

Carmody said volunteers are donating time, food and musical talent for the memorial, which runs from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm at a park in Prescott, Wis.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office is investigating Eickholt’s death.