Marilyn F. Eckelkamp

1932 - 2021

Marilyn F. Eckelkamp, nee Lefarth, 89, Washington, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021.

Marilyn, daughter of the late John Lefarth and wife Wilhelmine, nee Haskamp, was born March 19, 1932, in Concord Hill. She graduated as valedictorian from Marthasville High School in 1950. On April 19, 1952, she was united in marriage to Earl Eckelkamp at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Concord Hill. She spent 58 wonderful years married to the love of her life.

After raising eight children, she attended East Central College, and in 1980, she graduated magna cum laude with an associate degree in applied science in horticulture. Marilyn was employed as greenhouse manager for over 33 years at Platt's Nursery in Union. In her spare time, Marilyn loved sharing her knowledge with children as a 4-H project leader. For 43 years, she taught numerous topics, from entomology to quilting, and in 2014, she was inducted into the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame. Marilyn was a member of St. Gertrude Parish in Krakow for 56 years, and during that time, she served on a multitude of church and school committees. Quilting, church decorating and the cemetery committee were most dear to her heart.

Marilyn was an avid bird-watcher and gardener. She loved music, reading, traveling and learning new things. Her passion was quilting, and over the years she completed 110 quilts of various sizes for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and close friends.

Marilyn's advice to us all: "Keep it on the light side," and "life is for the living."^

Among her survivors are eight children, Karla Bennett and fiance Rick Westhoff, Concord Hill, Terry Eckelkamp and Tom Eckelkamp, both of Krakow, LuAnn Cooper, Washington, Elaine Schmitt and husband Glen, Concord Hill, Eric Eckelkamp and wife Danette, Washington, Evon Bishop and husband Todd, Clover Bottom, and Edward Eckelkamp and wife Michele, Krakow; 22 grandchildren, Ryan Bennett and wife Rene, Adam Bennett and wife Katelyn, Kayla Miesner and husband Mike, Amber Fadler and husband Jakob, Cody Eckelkamp and husband Mike Paul, Jeannae Young and husband Elijah, Mariah Cooper, Lauren Huebner and wife Tosha, Erin Glastetter and husband Jeremy, Katie Wilhoit and husband Kyle, Kelly Fortado and husband Jeremy, Jon Schmitt and wife Christine, Joey Schmitt, Morganne Welhoff and husband Austin, Monica Straatmann and husband Blake, Molly Eckelkamp, Madeline Eckelkamp, Alicia Windsor and husband Max, Emily Bishop and significant other Tyler Kleekamp, Abigail Bishop and fiance Brian Unnerstall, Samantha Eckelkamp and Hannah Eckelkamp; 18 great-grandchildren, Ava Schouten, Aiden Bennett, Lacey and Landon Bennett, Owen Miesner, Cohen Fadler, Faye Young, Grace, Edward, William and Jack Glastetter, Emma Wilhoit, Jason Fortado, Janet and Alice Schmitt, Maylee and Baby Welhoff and Baby Windsor; in-laws, Charles Eckelkamp and wife Dorothy, Beaufort, Jane Rembusch, Krakow, and Dixie Eckelkamp, Washington; other relatives and lifelong friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Eckelkamp; daughter, Linda Eckelkamp, in infancy; parents, John and Wilhelmine Lefarth; stepmother, Margaret Lefarth; brother, Harold Lefarth; three infant brothers; grandchildren, Michael Bennett and Meg Elise Eckelkamp, in infancy; and in-laws, Raymond and Marie Eckelkamp, Geneva Witthaus and husband Wilbert, William O. Eckelkamp and wife Eleanor, Jerome Eckelkamp, Betty Bueker and husband Robert, Gene Eckelkamp and Dwaine Rembusch.

Visitation will be held Saturday, Aug. 28, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, Washington.

A Resurrection Mass will follow at 1 p.m. at St. Gertrude Church, Krakow.

Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to St. Gertrude Parish or School.

Arrangements are in care of Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, Washington.