Marilyn F. Eckelkamp

Marilyn F. Eckelkamp, 89, of Washington, Missouri passed away on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Mrs. Eckelkamp, daughter of the late John Lefarth and his wife Wilhelmine nee Haskamp, was born on March 19, 1932 in Concord Hill, Missouri. She graduated as valedictorian from Marthasville High School in 1950. On April 19, 1952, she was united in marriage to Earl Eckelkamp at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Concord Hill. She spent 58 wonderful years married to the love of her life.

After raising eight children, she attended East Central College, and in 1980, graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Horticulture. Marilyn was employed as Greenhouse Manager for over 33 years at Platt’s Nursery in Union. In her spare time, Marilyn loved sharing her knowledge with children as a 4-H project leader. For 43 years, she taught numerous topics from entomology to quilting, and in 2014, she was inducted into the Missouri 4-H Hall of Fame. Mrs. Eckelkamp was a member of St. Gertrude Parish in Krakow for 56 years, and during that time, she served on a multitude of church and school committees. Quilting, Church Decorating, and the Cemetery Committee were most dear to her heart.

Marilyn was an avid birdwatcher and gardener. She loved music, reading, traveling and learning new things. Her passion was quilting, and over the years, completed 110 quilts of various sizes for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and close friends. 

Marilyn’s advice to us all: ”Keep it on the light side.” and “Life is for the living.”

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Wilhelmine Lefarth; stepmother, Margaret Lefarth; husband, Earl Eckelkamp; daughter, Linda Eckelkamp in infancy; brother, Harold Lefarth; three infant brothers; grandchildren, Michael Bennett and Meg Elise Eckelkamp in infancy; In-laws, Raymond and Marie Eckelkamp, Geneva Witthaus and husband Wilbert, William O. Eckelkamp and wife Eleanor, Jerome Eckelkamp, Betty Bueker and husband Robert, Gene Eckelkamp, and Dwaine Rembusch.

Among her survivors are eight children; Karla Bennett and fiancé Rick Westhoff of Concord Hill, Terry Eckelkamp of Krakow, Tom Eckelkamp of Krakow, LuAnn Cooper of Washington, Elaine Schmitt and husband Glen of Concord Hill, Eric Eckelkamp and wife Danette of Washington, Evon Bishop and husband Todd of Clover Bottom, and Edward Eckelkamp and wife Michele of Krakow; 22 grandchildren; Ryan Bennett and wife Rene, Adam Bennett and wife Katelyn, Kayla Miesner and husband Mike, Amber Fadler and husband Jakob, Cody Eckelkamp and husband Mike Paul, Jeannae Young and husband Elijah, Mariah Cooper, Lauren Huebner and wife Tosha, Erin Glastetter and husband Jeremy, Katie Wilhoit and husband Kyle, Kelly Fortado and husband Jeremy, Jon Schmitt and wife Christine, Joey Schmitt, Morganne Welhoff and husband Austin, Monica Straatmann and husband Blake, Molly Eckelkamp, Madeline Eckelkamp, Alicia Windsor and husband Max, Emily Bishop and significant other Tyler Kleekamp, Abigail Bishop and fiancé Brian Unnerstall, Samantha Eckelkamp, Hannah Eckelkamp; 18 great-grandchildren; Ava Schouten and Aiden Bennett, Lacey and Landon Bennett, Owen Miesner, Cohen Fadler, Faye Young, Grace, Edward, William, and Jack Glastetter, Emma Wilhoit, Jason Fortado, Janet and Alice Schmitt, Maylee Welhoff and Baby Welhoff, Baby Windsor; In-laws, Charles Eckelkamp and wife Dorothy of Beaufort, Jane Rembusch of Krakow, and Dixie Eckelkamp of Washington; other relatives and lifelong friends.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 10:00 am - 12:30 pm at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home, 1206 Jefferson Street, Washington, MO. A Resurrection Mass will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 1:00 pm at St. Gertrude Church in Krakow. Interment will immediately follow at St. Gertrude Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made to St. Gertrude Parish or School.

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