Bernice (DeBoer) Eckels

Bernice Eckels, 92, of Britt, passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at Westview Care Center in Britt.

Funeral services for Bernice Eckels will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at the Woden Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Joel DeBoer officiating. Burial will be at Woden Christian Reformed Church Cemetery near Woden. 

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 18, 2009 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West, in Britt and continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Bernice DeBoer Eckels, daughter of Claus and Bendina Peters DeBoer, was born September 25, 1916 on a farm Northeast of Wesley. She attended grade school at Wesley Township #1, and graduated from Wesley High School in 1934.

On August 19, 1937 she was united in marriage with Forrest Eckels at the Woden Christian Reformed Church. Following their marriage they lived on a farm in Orthel Township. They raised their three children on this farm. The farm continued to be their home until Bernice entered the Westview Care Center on December 23, 2005.

Bernice lived a full life with many interests and hobbies. She loved music and was able to use her voice by singing in small groups, in a church choir and with the Farm Bureau Women’s Chorus. As an active member of the Woden Christian Reformed Church she was a Sunday School teacher, taught catechism and was a member of the Ladies Aid. Bernice was involved in the community as a 4-H leader, member of the Historical Society and the Woden Senior Citizens. Her hobbies included sewing, quilting, gardening and not passing up a garage sale.

Bernice lived for the Lord and blessed her family with love, laughter, and joy in the journey.

Survivors include her husband of 72 years Forrest Eckels; three children: Wayne Eckels and his wife Judy of Britt, Iowa, Bonnie Kosters and her husband Marvin of Clifton, Virginia, Bill Eckels and his wife Marilyn of Britt, Iowa; eight grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; a brother Clarence DeBoer of Clearwater, Florida; a sister-in-law Rosalie DeBoer of Sun City, Arizona, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Anne Waidelich and Esther Tjaden and three brothers: Theodore in infancy, Herman and Maurice.

Memorial contribution may be made to The Britt Food Bank, The Armstrong House or The Kanawha Christian School.