Myrtle Eckes Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
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Lynn Struck
May 11, 2008
Today is Mother's Day. One week after my mom passed away. It has been a very difficult but at the same time joyous week as our family gathered to honor our wonderful mom and grandma and to say our goodbyes. A friend gave me this poem that really hits the heart as my mom struggled with dementia. Wanting so badly to be the person she was but having to learn to live as the person she became. I love both the moms and miss them dearly. Lynn
I had two Mothers - two Mothers I claim
Two different people, yet with the same name.
Two separate women, diverse by design,
But I loved them both because they were mine.
The first was the Mother who carried me here,
Gave birth and nurtured and held me so near.
She was the one whose features I bear,
Complete with the facial expressions I wear.
She gave me her love, which follows me yet,
Along with the examples in life that she set.
But then came the time that her mind clouded so,
And I sensed that the Mother I knew would soon go.
So quickly she changed and turned into the other,
A stranger who dressed in the clothes of my Mother.
Oh, she looked the same, at least at arm's length,
But now she was the child and I was her strength.
We'd come full circle - one, two, three,
My Mother the first, the second and me.
And if my own children should come to a day,
When a new parent comes and the old goes away.
I'd ask of them nothing that I didn't do.
Love both of your Mothers as both have loved you.
Laura (Ambassador)
May 6, 2008
Lynn, Steve, and the rest of Myrtle's family,
We will greatly miss Myrtle and your family here at Ambassador! It was a pleasure to be able to be apart of your lives. May God help you through this hard time. My thoughts and prayers are with you!!!
Sincerely,
Laura
Ambassador
Brian and Marta Blasczyk
May 6, 2008
I came to know Myrtle through my sister Gretchen Eckes who is married to Steven Eckes (Myrtle's son), she was a kind gentle soul, who always managed to have a smile on her face when you talk to her. I was so impressed with how Steve and Gretchen and their children loved Myrtle and took the time out of their lives to make sure Myrtle knew how much they loved her and cared for her. She was a special women and will truly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family in this loss of life, but be reassured she is in a truly blessed place.
Gretchen B. Eckes
May 6, 2008
Thank you to Dr. Fairbairn at Good Samaritan. Your thoughtful, caring and gentle way with Myrtle and her family is a lesson for all healthcare workers. We were truly blessed to have you these final weeks.
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Doug Haecherl
May 6, 2008
My Grandma one of the perfect examples of work Ethic and family values. I will always think of grandma and try to keep that work ethic and famly value that she set as an example for all of us in my weekly,daily & hour life.
Thank you for being my Grandma
Steve Eckes Family
May 5, 2008
Many thanks to the caregivers at Good Samaritan Ambassador Nursing Home in New Hope. Mrytle enjoyed her stay and we knew she was in good hands. God bless you !
Diane Carr
May 5, 2008
Lynn, Keith and family:
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of transition. Peace be with you.
Diane
Joan Eckes-Elliott
May 5, 2008
My dear cousins:
I remember with warmth and fondness the times as I was "growing up" and after, where I experienced your mom's gentleness, kindness and laughter. The holidays that brought our families together with all the delicious foods, smells of the season, card playing, music being played, songs being song are now memories kept in the heart's home. Her loving spirit always left me feeling special.
Joan Eckes Elliott
Alexandria and Jason Benter
May 5, 2008
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Myrtle was a beautiful person, she will be greatly missed.
Linda Hector
May 5, 2008
Dearest Lynn:
It is difficult to lose a parent but knowing they are in a better place brings us a measure of comfort. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Linda
Daryl & Jean Fields
May 5, 2008
Lynn, our sympathy goes out to you and your family. It is never easy losing a loved one. I want to share with you one of my favorite articles.
Mother, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK.
She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear strong voice.
"I didn't mean to disturb you, Mother, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her.
"Have you ever looked at your hands?" she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?" I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.
Mother smiled and related the following story:
"Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years.
"These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots.
"They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war. They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent.
"They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.
"They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse. They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body.
"They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.
"These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ."
I will never look at my hands the same again. God reached out and took my Mother's hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of Mother. I know she has been held by the hands of God. And I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.
Alta Winkelman
May 5, 2008
Dearest Keith, Lynn, Val, Luke, & Laura,
Last year while visiting in Minnesota, I was very fortunate to spend some time with Myrtle and your family. She was a wonderful person and enjoyed being at your home. At that time she had a great sense of humor and was very happy. She enjoyed being with all of you, watching American Idol and asking where Keith was.
You were blessed to have her in your lives and she was very Blessed to have you. You always treated her with love and respect.
We send our prayers and love,
Altie and Family
May 5, 2008
Lynn Struck
May 5, 2008
My deepest thank you to all of you who befriended my mom, especially the wonderful people at the Ambassador Good Samaritan, and thank you to all those who have prayed for my mom and supported our family through the tough times and celebrated in the good. I will miss my mom so very much. Lynn
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