Eckerman, Leo Francis 1946 - 2024

ECKERMAN, ANDERSON, HERRING, GUNZEL, KRAMER, OTIS, LAMFERS

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/2/2024 at 12:44:28

CRESCO - Leo Francis Eckerman, 77, passed away on July 25, 2024, at his hime in the presence of his loving family after a courageous three-year battle with cancer.
Born in Cresco, Iowa, on November 5, 1946 to Donald and Marybelle Eckerman, Leo was the fifth of eleven children. His early years were spent on the family farm west off Cresco, where he attended a one-room country school. He graduated from Cresco (Crestwood) High School in 1965 and went on to earn an associate degree from Rochester Junior College in 1967, a bachelor’s degree from Winona State University in 1970, a master’s degree from Winona State in 1973, and an administrative degree from UW Superior in 1987.
Leo’s professional career in Chetek spanned from 1970 to 1998 , where he served as a teacher, coach, principal, and athletic director. Notably, he was the assistant football coach from 1970-1973 and the head wrestling coach from 1970-1985. His successful wrestling career in college included qualifying for nationals four times. In recognition of his outstanding career, he was inducted into the Wall of Honor at Chetek High School on April 4, 2008.
An avid outdoorsman, Leo enjoyed fly fishing for bluegills and deer hunting, though he admitted to having more success with fileting fish than field dressing deer. He cherished time spent at the family farm with his brothers and childhood friends, sharing stories of the past. In his later years, Leo found joy in sitting on his porch overlooking Bass Lake, reading with a cup of coffee, and spending time with his grandkids on the pontoon. He also enjoyed golfing, playing pickleball, and assisting with building projects, always finding creative ways to fix things, and never letting leftovers go to waste. Above all, Leo loved his family deeply, known for his patience and kind heart.
He is survived by his daughter Shelby Eckerman (Dustin Anderson) and the children Eloise, Signe, and Thales of Edina, MN; his son Riley (Katy) Eckerman and their children Dawson Porter, and Mela of Osceola, WI; and his siblings Mike (Gail) Eckerman of Rochester, MN; Terry Eckerman of Cresco, IA; Joe (Joyce) Eckerman of O’Fallon, IL; Jean (Gene) Herring of Marion, IA; Ann (Mike) Gunzel of Lee’s Summit, MO; Joan (Michael) Kramer of Cincinnati, OH; Mary (mike) Otis of Polk City, IA; and Cynthia (David) Lamfers of Des Moines, IA.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, August 16, from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Airport Park, 633 Lakeview Drive, Chetek, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester, MN. Information can be found at gift-of-life.org/make-a-donation.

Source: Cresco Times July 30, 2024