Funeral Mass for Helen Marie Eckert, 85, of Sisseton, SD will be held on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 2:00 PM at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Sisseton, SD with the Rev. Fr. Andy Knop, OMI and Rev. Fr. Dennis Deis Celebrants. Organist will be Colette Hull and song leader will be Sandi Jaspers and soloist will be Pat Schubert. Pallbearers will be Matt Mattson, Roger George, Kenny Cordie, David George, Philip George, and Virgil George. Honorary Pallbearers will be all of Helen's Family and Friends. Interment will be in the St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery, Sisseton, SD. There will be visitation on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Prayer Service at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Sisseton, SD. Helen Marie George was born on March 27, 1924 in Roberts County, near Sisseton, SD to John and Ida (Casey) George. She was baptized at St. Peter's Catholic Church, in Sisseton. She grew up and attended country school in Drywood Lake Township and later attended St. Peter's Catholic School in Sisseton. Following her education, she was married to Robert Olson in 1943 in San Diego, CA. She was then married to Rusty Eckert in Sisseton, SD in 1946. She lived on a farm with her husband and family and later they moved to Seattle, WA. She was self-employed in the cleaning service industry. She moved to Reno, NV where she lived in and cared for elderly people. She moved back to Sisseton, and was hired as a cook for the Catholic priests for several years and later retired. Helen was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church. Family and friends were an important part of Helen's life. She especially enjoyed family picnics and gatherings, playing May-I and going out to dinner with her beloved friends and family. Helen moved to Clear Lake, SD where her three daughters lived and cared for her until she entered the Good Samaritan Health Care Center on January 14, 2008. Helen passed away on December 27, 2009 at the Good Samatian Health Care Center, Clear Lake, SD.
Helen is survived and will be forever missed by her eight children, Cecelia Hanon of Clear Lake, SD, Diane Brisco of Clear Lake, SD, Sandra Dailey of Clear Lake, SD, Jeff and Madonna Eckert of Sisseton, SD, Steve and Carol Eckert of Mission Viejo, CA, Rocky Eckert of Great Falls, VA, Danny Eckert of Seattle, WA and Travis Eckert of Seattle, WA; twenty three grandchildren and thirty six great-grandchildren.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, husband, four grandchildren, nine brothers and four sisters.