Marlene Eck

DILLON - Marlene Eck, 74, a longtime resident of the Grasshopper Valley, Polaris, died March 23, 2006, after a difficult battle with cancer.

She was born Jan. 4, 1932, in Logan, Utah, to Owen and Ione Stocks Maughan.

Her parents; and one brother, Owen Eugene Maughan preceded her in death.

On May 25, 1950, Marlene married Dale Eck in the Logan Utah Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1955, they moved to Sheridan, where they began a ranching career which continued when they moved into the Grasshopper Valley in 1965. She loved to cross-country ski, play pinochle with her friends, picnic and spend time with her family. She was instrumental in forming the Grasshopper Valley Fire Department and was active in the Big Hole Valley branch of the LDS church. She enjoyed the challenge of flower gardening in the frost-prone Grasshopper Valley. She looked forward to calving season every year and witnessing seasonal beginnings of new life in spite of the grueling hours, recalcitrant mother cows and weather challenges. She was disappointed to be unable to participate this year. Her pies and cinnamon rolls were the favorites of family and friends.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years; sisters, Flora Eck (Ray) of Ogden, Utah, and Elaine Peterson (Charles) of Farmington, N.M.; son, Alan Eck (Cherie) of Bozeman; daughters, Shelly Boyd (Tom) of Polaris, Dixie Aderhold (Curtis) of Orlando, Fla., and Wendy Rebich (Wayne) of Everett, Wash.; grandchildren, Owen Eck, Annie Firth, Joseph Crowe, Kylie Rebich; and great-grandchildren, Colby and Camren Firth and Phoenix Eck.

Memorials may be sent to the Grasshopper Valley Fire Department, Polaris, or a memorial of donor's choice.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday in Brundage Funeral Home, Dillon, and at 11 a.m. Monday in the Dillon LDS church. Services will be at noon Monday in the LDS church with graveside services following in Mountain View Cemetery in Dillon.

Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com/obits.