Joyce Marie Eckes

Joyce M. Eckes, Lander resident since 1966, died peacefully October 4, 2025, surrounded by family. She was born on November 4, 1937 in Pine Ridge, SD to parents Lester and Vivian Livermont. Joyce received the ultimate gift of life when she received her liver transplant on August 4, 2004, which she cherished every day.

Joyce attended schools in rural South Dakota graduating from Interior High School in 1956. She attended Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD and at the age of 19 received a one-year teaching certificate. She returned home to Wanblee, SD to teach for four years in the same two-room school she attended; teaching not only numerous cousins, but also her sister, Helen. After receiving her two-year teaching certificate, she taught four years in Rapid City, SD. In 1965 she received a BA degree in Elementary Education from Black Hills State College. In the same year she married the love of her life, Roland "Nick" Eckes in Rapid City, SD at the Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral. Nick and Joyce moved to Lander in 1966 and were members of the Holy Rosary and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Joyce was a stay-at-home mom for 10 years. After two years as a teachers' aide, Joyce returned to teaching in 1976 and taught 4th and 5th grades at North Side Elementary School for 20 years. Teaching was one of her greatest joys and accomplishments. We said our goodbyes to her in 2004, but a liver donor was found and gave her the gift of life so she could spend an additional 21 years with her friends and family.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband Nick to visit friends/relatives; seeing the United States and Canada in a tiny motorhome; and cruising to Panama, Hawaii, and Alaska. Joyce was a life-long avid reader of mystery novels. She loved being a proud grandma to four grandsons and six great-grandchildren. She enjoyed visiting with family, coffee/lunch with friends, and the slots at the casino.

She is survived by her two daughters, Rhonda (Craig) Johnson of Lander and Linda (Ernest) Evans of Riverton. She is survived by her four grandsons, Nickolas (Carrie) Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Joseph (Laurel) Lake, and Jacob (Dani) Lake along with her great-grandchildren, Lindsey and Callie Johnson, Sterling and Nathan Johnson, and Judah and Levi Lake. She is survived by her sister Helen (David) Bartling of Rapid City, SD and sister-in-law Judy (Jim) Blain of Sioux Falls, SD. She was a cherished aunt to many nieces/nephews and leaves behind many close cousins in addition to a multitude of loyal, caring friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Paul Livermont, and her husband, Nick, of 53 years (6-01-2018), as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A rosary with viewing will be held at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Lander on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. led by Father Drew Duncan. Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church with Father Drew Duncan officiating. Luncheon will follow at the parish hall. She will be laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery in Lander.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gift of Life Transplant House, 705 2nd Street SW, Rochester, MN 55902. Hudson's Funeral Home can accept any such donation that will be forwarded to the Gift of Life Transplant House.

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