Eckermann, Louis J. 'Louie'

Louis J. “Louie” Eckermann, 88, of Cosgrove, died Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, at Legacy Pointe in Iowa City. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Cosgrove. The Rev. Edmond Dunn will officiate. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Lensing Funeral Service in Iowa City. A Knights of Columbus rosary will begin at 3:30 p.m. and a vigil service at 7 p.m.

Instead of flowers, the family requests memorials to St. Peter's Church.

Born Nov. 19, 1923, in Emerson, Neb., he was the son of Charles and Genevieve Eckermann. He came to Cosgrove with his family in 1937. He attended Cosgrove High School where he played basketball and was captain of the team. Louie served in the Army Tank Corps in World War II-Korea and was an expert marksman. In 1948, he was married to the lovely Imelda Menke, a Mercy Nurse of West Point, Iowa. If there ever was a man to look up to for his faith and work ethic, it was Louie. He worked at Amana Refrigeration to save up for his life long career in farming. He loved farming and worked hard caring for the land and livestock he kept. When he wasn't working on the farm, he enjoyed being around his five industrious sons and four charming daughters, and was always on the lookout for an opportunity to make Imelda jump and shriek. He also worked as University Campus Security during the riotous times of the Vietnam War, and later at the Physical Plant. He was a member of St. Peter's Parish, Cosgrove; Knights of Columbus, Iowa City; American Legion Post 537, Oxford; and was a strong proponent of the Cosgrove Hustlers 4-H Club.

When the grandchildren came along, Louie loved to bounce them on his knee and sing the Deedle -Dee song, while they giggled and laughed. Being the “sweet tooth” he was, he would always make sure they had ice cream to enjoy when they came to visit.

He is survived by his wife, Imelda; daughter, Jeanette Yeggy of Davenport; sons, Charles “Chuck” (Mona) of Des Moines, John of Kansas City, Mo., Doug (Anne) of Urbandale, and Dave (Patty) of Cosgrove; daughters, Lu Anne Brown of Ankeny and Mary Kay Eckermann of Iowa City; son, Rick (Celia) of Cosgrove; and daughter, Angi (Joe) Reinbold of Warrenton, Va.; a sister, Judy Conner of Coralville; 16 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Geraldine; brothers, Matt, John and Charles; and grandchild, Amber Yeggy.

Online condolences may be directed to .

Published in The Gazette Oct. 23, 2012.