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Eckrich, Marguerite 'Mag'
Marguerite “Mag” Eckrich, 95, died peacefully Friday, Jan. 4, 2013, at her home. Funeral Mass will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Cosgrove. The Rev. Edmond Dunn will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Peter's Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday at Lensing Funeral Service in Iowa City from 4 to 8 p.m. A rosary will begin at 4 p.m. and a parish vigil service at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Sharon Cemetery or St. Peter's Cemetery Maintenance Funds.
Marguerite was born at home on March 6, 1918, about a mile west of Kalona, the daughter of Richard and Clara (Venzke) Graper. Mag attended Sharon Center country schools, riding a horse to and from school. Mag played basketball all throughout school, bouncing the ball on a pounded dirt floor. She married Francis “Frank” Eckrich on Oct. 5, 1943, at St. Peter's rectory in Cosgrove.
Mag always professed that the most important job she could ever hold was that of a wife, mother and grandmother - and the cookie jar was never empty!
Following her son Steve's auto accident which left him a quadriplegic, Mag selflessly, for 40 years, provided love, care, encouragement and help to Steve, allowing him to work in the family business. She was an extension of his eyes, ears and hands, allowing Steve's life to be as fulfilling as possible.
She was a lifelong member of St. Peter's Catholic Church and was a past president of St. Peter's Altar & Rosary Society.
Survivors include her sons, Larry (Penny) Eckrich and Jim Eckrich, both of Cosgrove; a sister, Dorothy Mathis of North English; grandchildren, David Eckrich of Cosgrove, Douglas (Amy) Eckrich of Cosgrove, Dennis (Melissa) Eckrich of Tiffin, Andrew (Courtney) Eckrich of Cosgrove and Amanda (Chris) Simpson of Oxford; and great-grandchildren, Jenna, Jared, Adam, Abby, Kendra, Jace, Bailey, Kane and Bryson.
Mag was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1994; a son, Steve in 2007; brothers, Leo and Eldon Graper; a sister, Loretta Semler; and a great-grandson, Oxen Eckrich.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com
Published Jan. 6, 2013 in The Gazette
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