Community members are honoring the life of William “Ike” Eickholt, a southern Washington County man who friends believe was the target of violence due to his gender expression.

Eickholt, 74, was found dead Feb. 2 on the side of Ravenna Trail in Hastings. His death was ruled a homicide by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office, according to KSTP-TV. He had been shot in the head.

In honor of Eickholt’s life and advocating against gender violence, community members are hosting a “Diversity, Inclusion and Vulnerability Day” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Freedom Park in Prescott, Wis.

“This is a day for the community to come together,” event organizer Mitch Carmody said. Carmody first met Eickholt in 2023 after noticing the man who wore women’s clothing and a large sunhat walking on the St. Croix Trail every Thursday morning, Carmody said.

After striking up a conversation with Eickholt, the two became friends.

“There’s not been one discouraging word about Ike,” Carmody said. “Everybody’s just missing him.”

Eickholt was a creature of habit and often frequented the same places, Carmody said.

He became known by community members and formed relationships with store owners and neighbors. He was full of joy and possessed the ability to lift up the moods of others, he said.

While the two never had a direct conversation about Eickholt’s gender identity, Carmody said Eickholt was a full-bearded man who enjoyed wearing women’s clothing and never made much of it.

Carmody said he once commented on Eickholt’s choice of style and Eickholt playfully replied, “Oh, my mother would kill me if she saw me in this.”

After the news broke of Eickholt’s death, Carmody and others said they believed Eickholt was likely a victim of gender violence.

Eickholt was vulnerable and lived alone in Denmark Township, at the southern tip of Washington County, in a truck outside his late mother’s home, which had burned down in a suspicious fire, Carmody said. When his body was identified, Carmody said, there were no funerals, obituaries or services in Eickholt’s honor.

“His life has kind of just been erased,” Carmody said.

Carmody, other friends and community members together decided they couldn’t let that happen, he said.

“People are coming from everywhere,” Carmody said. “They really want to recognize his loss because there was no opportunity to do so.”

The celebratory event, a memorial for Eickholt, is also an opportunity to gather, engage in conversation, share resources and honor other lives lost.

Diversity, Inclusion and Vulnerability Day will feature a noon memorial led by the Rev. Melissa Hrdlicka of Joy Lutheran Church and music performances by The Average Janes (11 a.m.), Seth West (during the memorial service), Wendy Elizabeth (1 p.m.) and Michael Mahan (2:30 p.m.). Hastings Mayor Mary Fasbender also plans to be present along with other community leaders and speakers, Carmody said.

“It’s kind of like town hall meetings that we used to have in the old days,” Carmody said.

The event is open to the public and Carmody said he hopes to make it an annual experience.

“I hope to see a coming together, to stand up for the rights of our citizens who are being abused or not included,” Carmody said. “We have to reverse the tide … and you can’t fight it with anger or angst, we have to shine a light.”

Eickholt’s death remains under investigation. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office said it was not releasing further details when asked this week.