Luana P. Eckersell

On Monday, December 13, 2021, our Mother, Luana Poole Eckersell joined her eternal sweetheart. We have had a lifetime of love from her dedication to our family and have been blessed by her teachings and examples. She was born August 9, 1928 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was the second child of Walter Ellsworth Poole and Dora Rounds Poole. She had many life experiences and opportunities that she used to teach from. 

Luana attended schools in Rigby, Idaho, graduating from Rigby High School during World War II. She was musically talented and played the clarinet in the High School Band. We often heard our dad say, "Your musical talent came from your mother, I was a percussionist, I only knew how to read notes that were printed on one line." She had a love for playing the piano and had a beautiful singing voice, which she tried to share with her family. She was a member of the Chancenettes Women's choir which gave her a close relationship with the other choir members from her community. We children were given (volun-told) opportunity to participate in the performances, often playing parts or singing with the other Choncenettes children. As was the time, she would participate in productions and cultural events, often giving her family exposure to participate or watch. She was a member of the Rigby Study Club. She loved those women dearly as if they were sisters. She looked forward to their meetings, and to planning and carrying out the Senior Tea that was put on for the girls of each Rigby High School graduating class. We thought of our mother as a very classy and cultured woman.

Luana married Bruce A. Eckersell on May 18, 1949 in Idaho Falls, Idaho at the Idaho Falls Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They made their home in Rigby, Idaho, settling their family on Tall Avenue. Together they made a wonderful home and taught their children to serve and love the Lord. We are so thankful for her example and testimony. As a mother, her life was filled with joy as she sewed, cooked, and worked in and out of house making everything beautiful. She loved to have guests so that she could fuss over them. She was a loving daughter to her parents and a joyful sister who would laugh with her sister Colleen, and tolerated her big brother's teasing. She worked hard to keep her family close and had such love for all of them.

Luana's home was always full of family and music. In the struggle of her last days, music was prevalent and soothing to her. If it wasn't playing from her music system, it was being sung by her daughter and granddaughter as they walked with her and sat enjoying their time. We are grateful for our Sister Paula and her daughter's Adrianne and Lerin for dedicating their time to love and take care of our sweet mother. Our hearts are full for their love and devotion.

Because of our parents, we have a large family. Luana is survived by her children; Paula Johnson of Rigby, Idaho, Shauna (Glen) Bennett of Rigby, Idaho, Laine (Vicky) Eckersell of Rigby, Idaho, Lisa (Donald) Eckersell-Williams of Marysville, Washington, Clair (Vicky) Eckersell of Rigby, Idaho and Terry (Shauna) Eckersell of Rigby, Idaho. Her loving sister, Colleen (R Kay) Poulsen of St. George, Utah. 28 grandchildren, 47 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild.

Luana has reunited with her loving husband, Bruce A. Eckersell. Her parents, Walt and Dora Poole, brother, Eldon and his wife Vonda Poole, and two granddaughters.  

Services for Luana will be held Monday, December 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM in the Rigby LDS Stake Center (258 West 2nd North, Rigby, Idaho). A reception with friends will be held Sunday, December 19, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Eckersell Funeral Home, (101 West Main Street, Rigby, Idaho). Interment for Luana will be next to Bruce in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery following the service.

We share our gratitude to Doctor Bryan Hammar and his staff for the wonderful care they have given our mother to make her at ease and comfortable as she went through life's challenges and age. We love our many friends and their visits to mom in her home. Thank you everyone who has given us calls and messages of condolence after her passing. We have felt your prayers and love. Matthew 11: 28-30. 

28: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29: Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart and ye shall find ret unto your souls. 30: For my yoke is easy and burden is light.