Kaye D. Eckert

Visitation
Saturday, April 26. 2025 at St. Jacobi Lutheran Church (8605 W. Forest Home Ave., Greenfield, WI) from 10am-12pm
Funeral Service
Saturday, April 26. 2025 at St. Jacobi Lutheran Church (8605 W. Forest Home Ave., Greenfield, WI) starting at 12pm
Kaye Diane Eckert (Jefferies) was born January 19, 1937, in Milwaukee, WI to Verl J. Jefferies and Lucille M. (Korn) Jefferies. She was baptized by her grandfather Rev. Rudolph Korn on March 31, 1937. On May 21, 1950, she was confirmed in the Christian faith at Garden Homes Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, WI. She was called to her eternal home of glory on April 2, 2025.
Frederic Harold Eckert became her husband at St. Jacobi Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, WI, on May 26, 1956. They were blessed with 68 years of marriage together. They were also blessed with three children: Debra Felderman, Robert Eckert and Glenn Eckert.
Kaye was a 1955 Graduate of Rufus King High School in Milwaukee WI. She kept busy during her working years as Secretary, School Bus Driver, Librarian, Tutor and volunteer to the aging, always helping others in any way she could. She served as Secretary at St. Jacobi Lutheran School, Wisconsin Lutheran High School and Wisconsin Ev. Lutheran Synod World Missions, where she retired from. During her retirement years she volunteered at Lutheran Home for Aging, Friends in Need and Indochinese Learning Center teaching and tutoring Hmong emigrants English.
Frederic (Fritz) preceded her in death on January 13, 2025. Survived by; three children: Debra (Michael) Felderman, Robert (Ann) and Glenn (Nancy) Eckert; nine grandchildren: Stacy (Jim) Hirsch, Bradley (Kristine) Felderman, Todd (Laurie) Felderman, Bryon (Chelsi) Eckert, James (Erin) Eckert, Megan (Steve) Cieslik, Sarah (Justin) Barger, Aaron (Brittany) Eckert, Katie (Dallas) Boger; twenty great-grandchildren: Quintin, Ilee Hirsch; Olivia, Delilah, Archer Cieslik; Lee, Raylynn, Kialah, Aria Eckert; Wylie, Aubree Eckert; Noah, Lacy, Emma, Anna Barger; Brooks Boger; Logan Bartels, Grace and Colton Meyer; Jack Borkowicz; great-great grandchildren: Jett, Mavey Roder: sister: Mary Kumelski, along with many other loved nieces, nephews and wonderful friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 26. 2025 at St. Jacobi Lutheran Church, 8605 W. Forest Home Ave., Greenfield, WI. Visitation 10am-12pm. Service at 12pm. Kaye requested memorial gifts go to St. Jacobi Lutheran Church or WELS World Missions.
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Kaye Diane Jefferies was born January 19, 1937, in Milwaukee, WI, to Verl and Lucille (Korn) Jefferies. The first of five girls: Kaye, Gail, Sandra, Joan and Mary. Her youngest sister, Mary survives her. Baptized March 31, 1937 by her Grandfather Reverend Rudolph P. Korn. Confirmed May 21, 1950 at Garden Homes Lutheran Church. Her Heritage is Russian and German with Grandpa Korn immigrating to America as a child.
As first born, with both parents working day and night, it was her duty to care for and nurture her younger siblings as they grew. Her fondest childhood memories were being driven through the hills and valleys on old Highway 30 to visit Grandma and Grandpa Korn in Lewiston, MN, the smell of fresh baked cookies and bars in the pantry, brisk walks to the post office or the Dorn's for milk. Quiet visits with the dear little neighbor lady, Martha, and her needles, thread, mounds of material and cats. Going to Aunt Bernie and Uncle Bud's farm in the summer in Hillsboro, WI and "the awesome feeling of sitting in the front pew on Sunday morning, in our very best, to hear Grandpa Korn proclaim the Gospel to all." Their life was simple. Orange crates for dressers. Clothing shared. Few toys. Kaye played softball, was a Girl Scout, played her Grandpa Korn's violin in the school orchestra, president of the Junior Achievement board, member of the square dance club, on the honor roll, and enjoyed her summers swimming in Lake Beulah with her friends, Dorothy (Dot), Gloria and Arleen.
Kaye attended Green Bay Avenue grade school and Rufus King high school, graduating in 1955. Continued her education at Alverno College, specializing in educating the Hmong immigrants and at Milwaukee Area Technical College in stenography.
In the summer of 1954, a young man named Chuck, met Kaye at Junior Achievement and asked her for a date. She politely refused. As Mom remembers Dad telling her, " Chuck dared me to call and ask you out for a date," so he did. Mom's first thought was "Being the son of a minister, he couldn't be all that bad." Their first date was the movie: Three Coins In A Fountain at the Garfield Theater. She said she was impressed because he wore spectator shoes that were later found to be his father's. He rode the street car 45 minutes across town to visit Kaye. They would spend time together walking along the shore of Lake Michigan, double dating with Bill Plautz and his future bride Pat, and attending the young people's groups at St. Jacobi Lutheran Church where his father was pastor.
In the fall of 1954, Fritz returned to Watertown, WI, to attend Northwestern College as a freshman. Kaye remained in Milwaukee as a senior at Rufus King high school. They correspond by mail. Mom said she has read and reread and shredded all their love letters, however, I found one remaining in her jewelry box. It will never be opened or read. Rather it will be placed in her grave beside her. They were engaged in November, 1955. Kaye became his cherished bride on May 26, 1956, at St. Jacobi Lutheran Church. Fritz's father, Reverend Harold Eckert performed the marriage ceremony. The reception was at Wilson Park Pavilion, with 175 people attending. His wedding gift to her was a kneeling pad for cleaning floors, which she still had and fondly remembers, with a laugh, in conversation. God blessed them with 3 children: Debra, Robert and Glenn. Spouses: Mike, Ann and Nancy. Nine grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, and 68 years of a faith centered, loving, caring and respectful marriage.
Kaye worked as a sales clerk at S.S. Kresge Co., Bernauer Bakery, and Gimbels. As a secretary at US Fidelity and Guaranty Co.. As an interim secretary to her father-in-law, Reverend Harold Eckert, who was the Executive Secretary of the Board of Trustees for the WELS. Volunteered for nine years at St. Jacobi Lutheran grade school, driving the school bus and serving as a secretary to the principal and teachers aide as a tutor in reading. As Executive Secretary to the elementary school coordinator at Wisconsin Lutheran High School, for the 49 WELS centered schools in the Milwaukee district. Retiring in 1997 after 16 years as Executive Secretary to the Executive Secretary of the Board for World Missions of the WELS. Reporting to Reverend Theodore (Tate) Sauer followed by Duane Tomhave. She was instrumental in the correspondence between the missionaries throughout the nations of the world. Her shorthand was 90-100 words/minute and typing speed 80 words/minute. After retirement, Kaye and Fritz tutored Hmong immigrants in English at the IndoChinese Learning Center. Fritz was Santa at Christmas. They traveled to Wisconsin Badger football games, including four Rose Bowl games, Washington D.C, Hawaii, and The Ark Encounter. Followed Debbie in band, cheerleading and softball and Bob and Glenn in baseball, basketball and football. They were snowbirds in Redington Beach, FL.
As young newlyweds, they lived in a small apartment, then the parsonage to save money and finally into their own home in Milwaukee before moving to Hales Corners, where they resided the majority of their married life. To Regency senior residence in New Berlin in 2019. Dubuque, IA, 2024, to be closer to Deb and her family and then to Waupaca, WI, to be closer to Bob and his family. We always joked with Mom and Dad that we were going to put them in a motorhome and move them every six months between the three of us.
Kaye prided herself in a clean home and meticulous in tasks of daily living. We ironed t-shirts, handkerchiefs, pillow cases and sheets, along with pants, shirts and aprons, She loved to cook and bake, especially birthdays and holidays, which she always made more and more special. Baked cinnamon and sugar pie crust edges were always a treat. She made the best variety of Christmas cookies. Their card club desserts and treats were well thought out as was each dinner served to their many friends and co-workers invited into their home. She was famous for her chicken noodle soup!! Much of our clothing was made on the sewing machine, including gifts, blankets, and knitting scarves and blankets. Needlepoint was a special skill. She had beautiful gardens of daffodils, geraniums and roses. Apple trees to pick from with woods and a creek behind the house to climb trees and catch water bugs. Friends and family gathered around the bonfire pit for corn or pig roasts, music and laughter. Her favorite cocktail was a brandy Old Fashioned Sweet. Kaye's circle of friends included card club, golf groups, red hat club, and ladies aid. Her best memories were the Jefferies family Christmas parties, Easter egg hunts and Whitnall Park, the 4th of July parades/fireworks, vacation in Colorado, riding horseback in the mountains with the family, camping at Ottawa Lake, Florida trips with Grandma and Grandpa Eckert, and the births of and activities with her children and grandchildren.
On January 13, 2025, the love of her life, Fritz, passed through death to eternal life six days before her 88th birthday. We believe she died of a broken heart. We also believe our days are numbered, as is proclaimed by our Lord, and this was God's plan.
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Frederic Harold Eckert was born in the parsonage in Reedsville, WI October 26, 1935 to Reverend Harold H. and Irma B. (Reuschel) Eckert. Baptized, confirmed and married by his father. Grew up in the parsonage next to St. John/St. James and St. Jacobi Lutheran Churches. He raised ducks, geese, pigeons, turkeys, rabbits, cows, goats and sheep and dogs. He had 20+ riding ponies by age 4. Rode tractors, weeded ¾ acre garden, fished and played ball. His vacations were to Dundas, WI, Holland and Saginaw, MI. Moved to Milwaukee, WI when he was 15 years old when his father received a call to preach at St. Jacobi Lutheran Church. In Milwaukee he was a laborer. Hauled bricks, blocks and mixed mud. He even tried out for the Milwaukee Braves. He was a bit mischievous as an only child. Parachuted from the garage roof with an umbrella and even known to have been shooting pigeons in the belfry of the church with a BB gun.
Fritz attended Northwestern Prep School and Northwestern College in Watertown, WI, where he was a 1954 graduate.
He met his future wife Kaye Jefferies, on a blind date. He would travel by streetcar, about 45 minutes across town, to visit her. Their first date was to the movie, THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN. She would become his bride at St. Jacobi Lutheran Church on May 26, 1956. His wedding gift to her was a kneeling pad for cleaning floors. She still has it and laughs in conversation about it to this day. God blessed them with three children, Debra, Robert and Glenn and 68 years of a faith-centered, loving and respectful marriage.
As a young husband, Fritz drove a delivery truck for Geiser potato chips by day and stocked shelves at Kohl's grocery store at night. Was the "B-team" (junior varsity) basketball coach at Wisconsin Lutheran High School, 1958-1968. He always spoke highly of his players and considers them like family. In 1959, began his career as a journeyman at Mueller Color Plate as a Roto Gravure, doing the fine work of engraving on cylinders by hand. He retired in 1995. The first athletic director at Milwaukee Lutheran Teachers College, which is now Wisconsin Lutheran College, an unpaid position that he truly loved. A highly respected high school and college referee. He played softball and basketball on the church team, golfed, coached Little League teams for Bob and Glenn and cheered Debbie in softball, band and cheerleading. He had us carry marbles across the floor with our toes to help us run faster and jump higher. He chased our dog, Heidi, part shepherd/collie, around the house when he got home from work. Dad spoke German fluently, and especially at Christmas, with his parents, when they didn't want us to know what they purchased. We polished our shoes before church every Sunday morning, were always 15 minutes early to arrive anywhere, taught to work hard, give 100%+ in everything we did, love deeply, give a firm handshake and remain faithful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We had the best back yard. ½ acre of woods, a creek, fruit trees and a strawberry berm. An asphalt half court basketball/volleyball court and bonfire pit where friends and family gathered for games, corn/pig roasts. We camped at Long Lake, travelled to Madeira Beach, Florida and Durango, Colorado for vacations. He was a true Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer fan. They had season tickets to all Badger football games. Once retired, they traveled with church and their sheepshead card club friends to four Rose Bowl's, Washington DC and the Ark Encounter. Snowbirds in Redington Beach, Florida. In retirement, one of his favorite memories was his weekly breakfast with "the guys". Coaches, teachers and friends throughout his life.
They lived in Hales Corners, WI most of their married life. Moved to Regency senior housing in New Berlin in 2019, to Dubuque, IA in 2024 to be closer to Deb and her family and just recently to Waupaca, WI, to be closer to Bob and his family before the Lord called him home to Heaven.
At his parents 50th anniversary celebration, on of the last lines in his speech about his life growing up with his parents, he wrote: "I grew up in what I think is the nicest way to grow; a farm community in a pastor's home." "Even though we had an outhouse and a cistern." "To our family, the Lord has been slow to anger and plenteous in mercies." "Now thank we all our God."