Obituary of Dorothy Ellen Eckes

Dorothy Ellen Eckes

Age 88, of Marshfield, passed away on Friday, December 3, 2021 at Wells Nature View CBRF under the care of Heartland Hospice.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM on Friday, December 10, 2021 at Life Tributes Funeral Home in Spencer, WI with Rev. Mark Krueger officiating. She will be laid to rest in Hillside Cemetery in Marshfield. Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Friday from 9 AM until time of service. The honor of pallbearer belongs to her grandchildren: Eric Wilson, Dustin Eckes, Matthew Peck, Spencer Peck, Jeremiah Peck and great-grandchild, Trevor Foemmel.

Dorothy was born on June 20, 1933 in York Center, WI; the daughter of Clarence and Naomi (Durst) Vandeberg. She graduated from Loyal High School, Class of 1951. On July 7, 1951, she was united in marriage to James W. Eckes. Sadly, he passed away in 2015. They shared 63 wonderful years of marriage and raised six children. She worked at Koller’s Super Valu and cleaned private homes. She also owned and operated “The Knit Shop” - a retail store specializing in beautifully knitted pieces hand-made by Dorothy. She also gave of her time and talents as a 4-H leader for many years. She will be remembered for her knitting & crocheting - including many Tiger mittens, hats & scarfs, sweaters and afghans, egg shell crafts and her “sassy” replies.

She enjoyed spending time with family camping at Mead Lake, Lake Dubay & Sherwood Park. Dorothy was always up for a card game especially Solitaire, Pass the Ace, Uno and Garbage. She loved to attend and cheer on her great-grandkids at sporting events.

Those that will cherish her memory are her brother Ivan Vandeberg of Springfield, Oregon; her children - Sue (Tom) Peck of Eau Claire, Char Wilson of Marshfield, Rick (Connie) Eckes of Marshfield, Barb Eckes of Eau Claire; her daughter-in-law Donna (Brian) Lieders of Marshfield and Joanne (Kevin) Walsh; her grandchildren - Matthew Peck, Spencer (Megan) Peck and Jeremiah (Katie) Peck, Eric (Kelly) Wilson, Sara Foemmel, Jason (Janelle) Lewer, Jamie Lewer, Cam (Stacy) Melbinger, Diana (Matt) Ornes, Dustin (Cassandra) Eckes; her great-grandchildren - Conrad and Odin Peck, Trevor, Alyssa & Ethan Foemmel, Brianna Varsho, Britney Lewer, Adrian Lewer, Riley and Parker Melbinger, Lailah, Vanessa & Elliot Ornes, Brantley, Kinsley and Jace Eckes along with many other relatives and friends.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Naomi Vandeberg; her husband, James Eckes; her daughter, Karen in infancy; her son, David Eckes; and siblings, Alice, Jeanette, Rosie, Verlyn, Milford, Marvin and Shirley and step-father Dale Guthrie.

The family would like to thank the staff at Wells Nature View for their loving care over the years - especially Mandi and Andrea, and the staff from Heartland Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dorothy’s name can be directed to the Shriners Hospitals for Children at Attn: Processing Center, PO Box 947765, Atlanta, GA 30394 or online at https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en. 

Dorothy’s arrangements are under the care of Life Tributes Funeral Home-Spencer. Please visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences.