Mike Eckrich

MIKE ECKRICH

Iowa City

Mike Eckrich, 72, formerly of Solon, died at his Decorah home on March 19, 2014. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Private family services, with burial next to his parents at St. Joseph Cemetery, will be held before visitation.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mike's memory to Friends of St. Bridget's or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences sent for his family through the Web at www.gayand ciha.com.

Michael John Eckrich was born Feb 10, 1942, in Iowa City, the eldest child of John George and Margaret Bridget "Mid" Ryan Eckrich. He was raised on the family farm in Nolan Settlement in the shadow of St Bridget's Church, where his Irish ancestors settled. Following graduation from Solon High School, he attended Loras College, the University of Iowa and then graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in business. He worked in sales for US Steel and 3M and later had an office furniture business in San Francisco.

Mike participated in several marathons in the San Francisco area, enjoyed skiing and journeyed on a four-month backpacking trip in Europe. Mike rode several RAGBRAIs with his brother, John, whom he'd nicknamed "Beav" as a child.

He later obtained a teaching certificate from UNI and taught in Wisconsin and the Iowa City area. While living in Iowa City, Mike assisted his mother in her care, allowing her to remain in her home as long as she did.

Mike is survived by his sister, Irene Royston of Iowa City, and her children, Clint (Natalie) and his children, Christian and Jackie, of Des Moines, and Wendy (Chad) Berry, and their children, Burke and Mardie, of Hills; and his brother, John "Beav" (Dawn), and their daughter, Amy Eckrich, of Iowa City; along with many cousins.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents; his grandparents, Michael H. and Ellen A. Maher Ryan and William H. and Angela C. Wall Eckrich; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.