Donna Eckert

Donna Eckert, age 60, of Okaton, South Dakota, died on Sunday, October 7, 2018 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip. Donna Jean Jorgensen was born September 19, 1958 in Murdo, South Dakota to Garret Frank and Betty Louise (Parker) Jorgensen joining siblings Margaret, Lorna and David and later sister Teresa. She grew up in Murdo attending school and graduating from Murdo High School in 1976. In her younger years she enjoyed working with her friends at the motels in Murdo and spent a lot of time babysitting for various families in the community. Donna held various jobs in her lifetime. She lived in Pierre and worked for the state for a few years before coming back home to Murdo to help take care of her family. Donna spent many years cooking meals for the elderly in the community at the Murdo Senior Center which she dearly loved, she also worked several years at the Triple H Truck stop and made many friends who would be traveling through and mentored many kids that worked there. She most recently worked at Graham's Best Western and enjoyed visiting with those traveling through and always having a word of advice for her coworkers. She passionately served on the Rural Health Care Inc. board of directors for 30 years.
On November 8, 1980 Donna married the love of her life William Paul Eckert at Messiah Lutheran Church in Murdo. They were blessed with two daughters Carissa Louise on September 8, 1981 and Caitlin Ade'le on June 15, 1988. Donna's family was her pride and joy. She was a devoted and loving wife and mother going above and beyond taking care of her husband and children and the rest of her family. She loved all of her nieces and nephews and holds a special place in many of their hearts especially her great nieces and nephews. In May Donna finally got the title she had always wanted Grandma. She was always there for anyone with her beautiful smile, a word of advice even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear and her famous Donna hugs. Donna is survived by her loving and devoted husband of almost 38 years William "Bill" Eckert of Okaton. Daughters Carissa Louise Alloway and husband Frank of Rapid City and Caitlin Ade'le Brodrecht and husband Grady of Presho. Granddaughter Quincey Ruzena Brodrecht. Brother David Jorgensen and wife Kathy of Covington, TN and sisters Lorna Kittelson and husband Steve of Brooklyn Park, MN and Teresa Hatheway and husband Jerry of Murdo, SD. Sisters-in-law Helen Oldenkamp of Omaha, NE; Freda Peters of Pierre, SD; Ruth Foote and Lois Quatier of Yankton, SD; Phyllis Filler and husband Lloyd of Winner, SD and Grace Schmitgen and husband Gary of Pierre, SD. As well as her many beloved nieces and nephews and other kids she helped raise over the years. She was preceded in death by her parents Gary and Betty Jorgensen, sisters Margaret Jorgensen; and Donna Jean Jorgensen in infancy, her father-in-law and mother-in-law Philip and Alvena Eckert, and niece Kayla Jorgensen. Visitation will be Friday, October 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. CST at the Harold Thune Auditorium in Murdo. Funeral services will be Saturday, October 13 at 11 a.m. CST at the Harold Thune Auditorium. Interment will be at St. Peter's Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Midland. In lieu of flowers a memorial is established to Mainstreet Living. Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.

The Pioneer Review

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Philip, SD 57567
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