Mary Zita Eckelkamp

Mary Eckelkamp was born on September 8, 1926, in Washington, Missouri to Hugo Aholt and Regina Aholt (nee' Meyer). She passed away, Monday, October 27, 2025, in Owensville, Missouri at the age of 99 years.
Mary was the seventh of eight children. She attended Ziegenmeyer School and graduated from St. Francis Borgia High School. She went on to work for Thriftee Foods as an office manager and retired after 40 years. Mary and her late husband, Mel, were some of the first members of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Washington. She was a member of the St. Bernadette Sodality, St. Vincent de Paul, the Our Lady of Lourdes quilting group, and volunteered at countless church picnics. After Mary retired, she enjoyed bus trips with Mel across the country and several trips in Europe. Mary was an expert seamstress, crafter, and quilter. If you would visit Mary and Mel, there would certainly be a quilt frame set up with either a started quilt or an almost finished quilt, complete with pin cushions, needles, thread, and multiple chairs for her sisters, nieces, and friends to help sew, visit, and gossip with Mel delivering the drinks. Mary was a beloved member of her community and will be missed greatly be all who knew her.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Hugo and Regina Aholt; husband, Mel Eckelkamp; seven siblings, Viola (Adolph) Eckhoff, Roland (Genevieve) Aholt, Agnes (Ray) Maune, Ervin (Lou) Aholt, Francis (Marie) Aholt, Raymond (Theresa) Aholt, Dorothy (Bob) Beste; and brother-in-law, Isie Kuchem.
She is survived by her two sons, Gary (Kathy) Eckelkamp of Paducah, KY, Brian (Barbara) Eckelkamp of Washington; one daughter, Sharon (Kevin) Teale of Des Moines, IA. Seven grandchildren, Zeke (Star), Kelly (Ian Harvey), Kayla (Bryan Strauser), Ashley (John Baumstark), Patrick (Hayley), Shannon (Jason Green) and John Teale. Nine great-grandchildren, Elijah, Stella, Maris, Anna, Brinley, Winnie, Nolan, Waylon and Beau. Two sisters-in law, Dolores Kuchem and Joan Aholt, and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation for 99-year-old Mary Eckelkamp will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at
Oltmann Funeral Home in Washington, Missouri. A rosary will be held beginning at 5:00 PM and visitation will follow.
A funeral mass will be celebrated, Friday, October 31, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Washington, MO with Rev. Nicklaus Winker officiating. Burial will immediately follow at St. Francis Borgia Catholic Cemetery in Washington, MO.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Mary's honor to St. Vincent de Paul at Our Lady of Lourdes.
The Eckelkamp family is served by Oltmann Funeral Home in Washington, Missouri.