Ecker, Judith Koch

Judith Koch Ecker, an impassioned educator who dedicated her life to teaching others and sharing the beauty of the written word with her family, friends and students, died of natural causes on Aug. 20, 2012, in Louisville, Ky. She was 78.

Born in Louisville, Judy was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, daughter and sister, who took great pleasure in reading, traveling, attending performing arts events and cheering on her favorite sports teams.

Judy is survived by her longtime partner, Frank Boone, Louisville, Ky.; her three children, Dr. Wendy Martin, Treasure Island, Fla., Kerry Ecker (Mary Scannell), Tempe, Ariz., and Kjerstin Dillon (Paul), Orlando, Fla.; her mother, Helen Koch, Louisville, Ky.; her brother, David Koch (Karen), Louisville, Ky.; her six grandchildren, Ash Martin, Dr. Katie Kempf, Thomas Ecker, Rachel Ecker, Jackson Dillon and Lucy Dillon; great-grandchildren. Ryan, Russell, Rachel and Sienna; and her former husband, Tom Ecker (Carol), Cedar Rapids.

She was preceded in death by her father, Edgar Koch; and her son, Kevin Ecker.

After growing up in Louisville, Judy earned her bachelor's degree in 1955 from Western Kentucky University, where she was editor of the College Heights Herald. She earned her master's degree from the University of Iowa in 1957.

Judy inspired and built lifelong bonds with her students in Kentucky and Iowa. She retired in 1998 as the journalism instructor and adviser to the award-winning Surveyor newspaper, cheerleading coach and Academic Decathlon coach at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids. Judy returned to her hometown of Louisville in 2001.

The funeral will take place at Highland's Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Rd., Louisville, Ky. at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 25. Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 24, from 5 to 8 p.m. and Saturday before the funeral service. Burial will be at Cave Hill Cemetery.

Published Aug. 23, 2012 in The Gazette