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Friday, April 30, 2021
Colleen Elizabeth Eckhart
City: North English
Funeral Date
10 a.m., Saturday, 5/1, at North English Christian Church, North English
Funeral Home
Powell Funeral Homes
Friday, April 30, 2021
Colleen Elizabeth Eckhart
COLLEEN ELIZABETH ECKHART
North English
Colleen Elizabeth Eckhart was born Jan. 16, 1955, at Watts Hospital in Marengo, the daughter of Gilbert A and Norma Matilda Dora (Schultz) Wardenburg. She grew up in Blairstown and graduated from Benton Community High School in 1973. On Nov. 26, 1977, Colleen was united in marriage to David Alan Eckhart at Grace Lutheran Church in Blairstown. Colleen worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Cedar Rapids as a postal clerk and service representative. In 1987, they moved to North English, where they farmed and she worked for the North English Post Office, serving the last 25 years as Post Master, before retiring in 2012. Colleen was a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Millersburg and a member of the North English Christian Church, the Community Center Board of Directors, the English Valley Care Center Board and was the English Township Clerk. She enjoyed cooking, gardening and loved the outdoors. Colleen loved hunting and canoeing. She and David took many trips to Idaho to hunt bears and lions, she never got a lion, but she got her bear before David. They took their nephews on many canoe trips when they were younger. Colleen died on Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at Compass Memorial Hospital in Marengo, at the age of 66 years.
She is survived by her husband, David of North English; nephews, Matthew Brunssen of Vinton, Vince (Kim) Brunssen of Round Rock, Texas, and Mike (Susan) Wardenburg of Cedar Rapids; a niece, Dee (John) Rich of Chandler, Ariz.; a sister-in-law, Connie Wardenburg of Chandler, Ariz.; and a brother-in-law, Jerald Brunssen of Vinton.
She was preceded by her parents; a brother, Harold G. Wardenburg; and a sister, Carol A. Brunssen.
Celebration of Life memorial service will be held
10 a.m. Saturday, May 1, at the North English Christian Church. Pastor Luke Caster will officiate. Visitation will be on Friday, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Powell Funeral Home in North English. Memorials are for Esophgeal Cancer. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

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