Lu Rene Eck

LU RENE D. ECK

Strawberry Point

Lu Rene D. Eck, 85, formerly of Strawberry Point, passed away Tuesday, March 8, 2016, at The Meth-Wick Community in Cedar Rapids.

She was born April 10, 1930, in Pipestone, Minn., the daughter of Allen and Dorothy (Lincoln) Gewecke. Lu attended Ag School in the Twin Cities and then studied medical technology at Morning Side College in St. Paul.

Lu met Charles Eck at a dance. On March 4, 1951, Lu was united in marriage to Charles William Eck in Jasper, Minn. Five children were born to this union. The family lived in Jasper, Minn., San Diego, Calif., Pipestone, Minn., Belle Plaine, Iowa, and Strawberry Point. Lu worked as an x-ray technician in Pipestone and later in Elkader. She managed the Backbone Golf and Country Club and then owned and managed the Franklin Hotel.

Lu loved to travel. She was a "ray of sunshine" to all who knew her. She was a planner who didn't want anyone to worry. Lu loved her family and friends dearly.

Survivors include her best friend, Joe Fiala of Cedar Rapids; one son, Keith Eck of Swisher; her four daughters, Kathie (John) MacDonald of Cedar Rapids, Kris (Doug) Schmidt of Strawberry Point, Karin Ward of Cottage Grove, Minn.,, and Kellie Fox of West Des Moines; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Pat (Jim) Kallsen of Madison, Wis.; and three sisters-in-law, Jo Gewecke of Pipestone, Minn., Eleanor Gewecke of Jasper, Minn., and Jan Gewecke of Oklahoma.

Lu was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charlie, in 1999; and two brothers, Donald and Dean Gewecke.

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

Funeral services: 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 14, at United Methodist Church in Strawberry Point, by the Rev. Mary Green. Visitation: 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, March 13, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Strawberry Point. Friends also may call one hour before the service at the church on Monday. Interment: Cass Township Cemetery, Strawberry Point.