Betty Lou Rausch Eckard 1930-2012

ECKARD, RAUSCH, GROMMISCH, GRETHEN, OLSON, LAURITSEN, EVELETH, BEST, ROOSE, MOEDING, MANNICK

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 4/20/2013 at 22:23:48

BETTY (RAUSCH) ECKARD
Betty Lou (Rausch) Eckard, the daughter of Leo Rausch and Dorothy (Grommisch) Rausch, was born on October 16, 1930 in Sutherland IA. She passed away at Good Samaritan on June 13, 2012.

Betty attended elementary schools in Cushing, Linn Grove, and Lake View Iowa. She attended High School in Lake View as a freshman and sophomore, and Estherville her junior and senior years graduating in 1948.

She was united in marriage to James William Eckard on February 12, 1949 in Lake View where her dear friends Reverend and Mrs. Baddley performed the ceremony. She worked for NorthWestern Bell Telephone Company as a local and long distance switchboard operator until 1952 when her first daughter, Judy was born. Betty had twin daughters, Diana and Donna in 1953 and youngest daughter, Joan was born in 1957. Betty and Jim farmed from 1950 until retirement in 1988. In addition to the farm work, Betty worked part-time for Jerry Burrell Insurance Company for 15 years during the 1970s and 80s. Jim and Betty sold their acreage and moved to Estherville in October 2011. Family life was very important to Betty. She faithfully took her daughters to church and Sunday school throughout their growing up years. She taught her daughters the importance and joy of volunteering. For example, she was an active 4-H leader teaching cooking, sewing and furniture refinishing skills for over a decade. Betty was also an active member of the United Methodist Church.

She was a member of the United Methodist Women serving as chairman of the Bazaar and library for many years. She was actively involved with the Church Circle, Funeral Committee, Quilting Committee and helping to operate the loom on the Rugs Committee. She thoroughly enjoyed entertaining the care centers' residents by "clowning" with her friends until her health conditions prevented her participation. Betty led a very active life! She enjoyed gardening, horseback riding, fishing, raising chickens, ducks and geese, selling eggs and enjoyed her many pet dogs over the years. Betty and Jim enjoyed traveling together. They made numerous trips to Branson, Missouri to celebrate their anniversary. In addition, they enjoyed traveling to California to visit family and sightseeing in Texas. They also enjoyed riding horses and cross country skiing in the Black Hills. Betty especially enjoyed taking trips with her grandchildren, teaching them various skills, and playing games with her great grandchildren.

Left to cherish Betty's memory are her husband Jim, brother Burdette and his wife Marie, four daughters: Judy Grethen and her husband Roger of Estherville, Diana Olson and her husband Dave of Outing, MN, Donna Lauritsen and her husband Gary of Estherville, Joan Eveleth and her husband Mitch of Estherville; eleven grandchildren: Jennifer Best (Jason) of Davenport IA, Kristi Roose (Scott) of Pella, IA, Kurtis Moeding (Marilee) of Mason City, IA, Ashley Moeding of Scottsdale, AZ, Michael Olson of Outing MN, Matthew Olson of St. Louis Park, MN, Marcus Olson of Outing, MN, Brian Lauritsen (Joleen) of Wichita Falls, TX, Sarah Lauritsen of Portsmouth, VA, Angela Mannick (Ryan) of Kiowa CO, Christi Eveleth of Chandler AZ; and six great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Donald. (MC)