May 8, 1921—October 19, 2020
TOMAH - Edna Emma Eckelberg, 99, of Tomah, died Monday, October 19, 2020 at Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center in Sparta. She was born May 8, 1921 to Ralph and Emma (Steuck) Purpus in the Town of Wellington. Edna was united in marriage to Leonard Eckelberg on February 11, 1940 at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Ridgeville. He preceded her in death in June of 1981. Together they started farming in Town of Wilton. In 1957, they moved to their farm in the Town of Tomah.
Edna was a faithful member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church and a member of the Cherry Valley Homemakers. She was an excellent cook and will always be remembered for her homemade bread. She enjoyed taking trips with her friends, especially the trips on the Missisippi Queen and on the pontoon on Lake Arbutus, country drives, gardening, bird watching, her favorite soap 'The Young and the Restless'. She had dear friendship with Lucille Betcher and Lucy Sherwood. Most important to Edna was her family. She loved all of her big family dearly. Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren will always remember: chocolate chip cookies with Grandma, all of her stories, fixing her hair, the times she babysat, and mostly all of Grandma’s hugs. She was always very proud of every one of them. Edna had a warm and caring heart, and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Art Eckelberg of Tomah, Judy Kuehl of Pewaukee, Leonard “Junior” (Patti) Eckelberg of Tomah, Gary (Patty) Eckelberg of Tomah, Tom (Lory) Eckelberg of Tomah, Sue (Dale) Stickney of New Lisbon, Karl (Jane) Eckelberg of Tomah; 18 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, 24 great-great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends,
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter and son-in-law, Lou and Louie Marten; a daughter-in-law, Sara Eckelberg; a son-in-law, Gary Kuehl; granddaughter, Katherine Eckelberg; two grandsons, Troy and Cory Eckelberg; a great-grandson, Joshua Johnson; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Delbert and Evelyn Purpus, Lavern and Marge Purpus, and Elmer and Verna Purpus; two sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Eleanor and Louie Schaffer and Reuben and Celia Eckelberg.
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 23, 2020, 12 noon, at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave., Tomah. Pastor Backhaus will officiate. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Memorial Gardens.
Relative and friends are invited to call on Friday from 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church until the time of the service.
Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
The family would like to thank the ftaff of the Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center for all of their loving care that they gave Edna.
Those in attendance are encouraged to use CDC recommended guidelines for social distance and safety measures.
Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home
