Bertina Gesina Eckman, 31 Mar 1929 - 23 Sept 2015

ECKMAN, TRIMPE, STEINKE, GELINAS, SHERMAN

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 10/26/2015 at 16:11:03

Bertina Eckman, 86

Celebration of life service for Bertina G. Eckman, 86, East Amana, was held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at St. John’s Lutheran Church near Homestead. She died Wedneday, Sept. 23, 2015, at her home, surrounded by her family, after a brief illness.

The Rev. Terry Small officiated at the service.

Burial was in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery.

Powell Funeral Home, Williamsburg, was in charge of arrangements. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Camp Courageous.

Bertina Gesina Eckman was born March 31, 1929, on the family farm near Homestead, the daughter of John Henry and Johanna (Steinke) Trimpe. She graduated from Amana High School in 1946.

She married Richard Ernest Eckman Oct. 26, 1947, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Cedar Rapids. She had several jobs in her lifetime, most of which were taken to help support her family. She even delivered the Gazette when her son Joel went to college. However, her defining career, if you asked her, was Mom of Charles, Cynthia and Joel. Then, she was promoted to Super Grandma of Nick, Guy, Kristin, Alicia and Jody, and Super Great-Grandma of Connor. Her life was completely full of joy.

Her other loves, aside from family, were her many friends, especially “Girls Club,” playing (usually winning) at bridge, Christmas cookie care packages and St. John’s Lutheran Church. She was very active in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and the Ladies Aid.

Eckman is survived by her children, Charles (Patricia) Eckman, Nampa, Idaho; Cynthia (Roger) Gelinas, New Gloucester, Maine, and Joel (Judy) Eckman, Iowa City; five grandchildren, Nicholas, Alicia, Guy, Kristin and Jody; a great-grandson, Connor; one sister, Ruby (Lyle) Sherman, Middle Amana, and a brother, Lloyd (Mary Ann) Trimpe, Marengo.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, in 2008; her parents; one brother, George; sisters, Glenna, Roma, Alma and Mary Ann, and a grandson, Bruce.

Journal Tribune, 30 Sept 2015, pg 5
The Gazette, 24 Sept 2015, 9a