Wayne E. Eckels

Wayne E. Eckels, 79, of Britt passed Monday, July 30, 2018 at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services for Wayne Eckels will be held Friday, August 3, 2018 at 1:00 PM at the Woden Christian Reformed Church, 205 290^th Street rural Woden.  Burial will be held at the Woden Christian Reformed Cemetery in Woden.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 2, 2018 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Chapel, 178 Center Street West in Britt and one hour prior to services at the church on Friday.

Wayne was born on August 25th, 1938 at the family farm near Britt, Iowa, the son of Forrest and Bernice (DeBoer) Eckels.  He attended country school through 8th grade.  He graduated from Britt High School in 1956. Wayne attended ISU in Ames, Iowa and then returned to Britt to farm with his father in 1959.  At the age of 49 Wayne returned to college at NIACC in Mason City to earn his degree.  Wayne was united in marriage to Judy Marlow on August 10th, 1962 at the Woden Christian Reformed Church of which Wayne was a lifelong member.  Wayne farmed until his retirement in 2015.  Wayne and Judy then moved to Britt and enjoyed the fellowship with friends and neighbors.

Wayne enjoyed many interests and enjoyed traveling and adventure, as you may not know, a lot of his plans were imaginatively developed during his daily farming chores throughout his entire life and as many of you know biking and swimming were his favorites.  He also liked downhill and cross country skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, bird watching, reading and “road trips” whether they be in Iowa or across the USA.  Locally Wayne also thoroughly enjoyed and supported West Hancock athletics.

No matter if Wayne traveled across the great USA, enjoyed coffee in downtown Britt or was visiting his children and grand-children in Iowa, Colorado and Arizona, he enjoyed meeting new people and having conversation with whomever would cross his path.  Wayne had an unforgettable smile and a unique quality of humble friendship that would put people at ease, with those special gifts we know that Wayne “never met a stranger”.

Wayne’s special moments were those in which he could spend time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Taking them fishing, sledding and teaching them the wonders of nature and sometimes just trying to keep up with them.  They all thought he was an amazingly special Dad and Grandpa.  Wayne was a positive force in all the lives he touched and would always lift your spirits.  Thank you Wayne!  We love you and will miss you terribly in our daily lives.

Wayne is survived by his wife Judy and children Monte; Michelle Kirk-Boisits (Gustave) Centennial, Colorado; Grandchildren Amber Burton (Garrett); Chelsie Eckels (Matt Diehl), Kayla Shotts(Keenan), Samuel Kirk, Wilson Kirk; Grace Kirk . Great Grandchildren: Charlize Eckels; Cashius Burton; and Jamesen Diehl . Sister Bonnie Kosters (Marvin) and Brother William Eckels (Marilyn).

 He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Don Agostine (Linda).