Eckert, Ruth A.

Ruth A. Eckert, 92, of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, Oct. 22, 2012, at Heritage Nursing & Rehab Center, Cedar Rapids. A Gathering of Remembrance will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 27, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Burial will be held at a later date.

Survivors include her children, James (Ann) Eckert of Cedar Rapids and Larry (Katelruk) Eckert of Shanghai, China; and four grandchildren, Thanita Eckert of Shanghai, China, Steven (Jenny) Eckert and their children, Katrina and Noelle of Aloha, Ore., David (Laura) Eckert and their children, Anna, Benjamin and Caleb of Shueyville, and Jean (Matt) Milburn of Marion and their children Abigial, Braxton and Breanna.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband; parents; infant daughter, Sharon Lou Eckert; and sister, Betty Carter.

Born Nov. 2, 1919, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Ruth was the daughter of Charles and Anna (Malek) Markham. She attended the old Van Buren Elementary School and graduated from Wilson High School in 1937. She then went on to attend the Cedar Rapids Business College. On April 18, 1943, she was united in marriage to Bob Eckert at the First Congregational Church in Cedar Rapids. Ruth worked for Cities Service Oil Company, Penick & Ford and then the city of Cedar Rapids as the secretary for the chief of police, retiring in 1971. She then went to work as a secretary for the First Congregational Church.

Ruth's joys were reading and gardening. She also enjoyed traveling and camping with her husband and children.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation in Ruth's memory.

Please sign the online guest book for Ruth at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Oct. 24, 2012.