Rosemary Eckel, 94
Rosemary Eckel, 94, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at Sunset Home in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, at Kutis Funeral Home, Affton Chapel in Affton, Mo. Burial will follow at the St. Trinity Cemetery.
Rosemary was born on Aug. 1, 1929, in Litchfield, Ill., to Arthur and Rose Clayton. She grew up and graduated high school in Litchfield. She then attended nursing school in Springfield, Ill., and worked at a doctor’s office in Collinsville, Ill.
Rosemary married William Eckel Jr. on Sept. 29, 1956, in Collinsville. They made their home in St. Louis, where Rosemary and Bill raised their daughter, Sue. She volunteered in many capacities supporting Sue throughout her education and extracurricular activities. Her hobbies included cooking and baking, traveling and genealogy. She especially enjoyed trips to Germany to visit Bill’s family. Soon after Bill passed away in 1998, Rosemary moved to Phoenix to be closer to Sue and her grandchildren. She returned to St. Louis briefly before moving to Sandpoint, Idaho, in 2014.
Rosemary had a deep trust and faith in Jesus Christ which she gave her comfort and strength throughout her life. She was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Crestwood, Mo., and Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Sandpoint.
Rosemary is survived by her daughter, Sue (Paul) Milo of Sandpoint; two granddaughters, Jennifer (Micah) Lasley of Poulsbo, Wash., and Andrea (J-P) Oneschak of Ferndale, Wash.; seven great-grandchildren, Annalise, Lisette, Eben, Eliana, Caleb, Emmett, and Griffin; as well as her sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bill, infant son Harold, sister Jeanne Mejaski, and brother Gerald Clayton.
The family thanks the compassionate staff at Sunset Home and Eden Hospice for their care for Rosemary.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Rosemary’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign her guest book.