Ida Mae “Idy” Swanson Eckey 1927-2016

ECKEY, REED, SWANSON, LENOX, JOHNSON, LILJA, JOBE

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 8/21/2022 at 11:15:47

Ida Mae (Idy) Eckey, 89, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2016.

Services will be held Friday, May 20, 2016 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1105 Grand Ave in West Des Moines with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. and the memorial service at 11 a.m.

Idy was born January 25, 1927 to Mable (Reed) and Elmer Swanson in Kiron, IA.

She graduated from Kiron High School where she enjoyed playing 3 on 3 basketball.

After high school, Idy worked as an executive secretary.

Idy married Thomas M. Eckey on May 28, 1950. Idy was a devoted mother and wife.

She loved to watch Cubs baseball and college basketball. She was a talented cook and had a knack for entertaining friends and family.

She and Tom enjoyed birdwatching and traveling.

Idy was a long time member of St. Mark Lutheran Church and a charter member of PEO Chapter MS. Idy was also an active volunteer with her church, Little League, and with the Lutheran Hospital Flower Cart.

She is survived by her husband, Thomas M. Eckey; children, Reed (Mary Ann) Eckey, Debra Lenox and Sara (Kent) Johnson; her nieces, Pam Lilja and Peggy (Doyle) Jobe; nephew, Paul Swanson; 5 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren.

Idy was preceded in death by her parents; her in-laws, Margaret and Harold Eckey; her brother, Gage Swanson; her sister-in-law, Donna Swanson; and her favorite scruffy little black dog, Smudge.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mark Lutheran Church.

From Des Moines Register May 15, 2016.