Dorothy May Eckdale

Dorothy May Eckdale was born May 11, 1914 in Lidgerwood, North Dakota, the second child of Syver and Inga Quammen. After high school, Dorothy attended Ashbury Hospital School of Nursing, Minneapolis, graduating as an RN on September 6, 1935. While working as a nurse Dorothy met her future husband, John Eckdale, who was a medical student at the University of Minnesota. They married June 15, 1939 and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where John did his internship at Milwaukee General Hospital and Dorothy worked as a nurse. During World War II, while John served overseas as an Army Air Corp flight surgeon, Dorothy lived with her young daughter, Cathy, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin in order to be near her in-laws. After the war John moved his family to Marshall where he set up practice with Doctor Ford. Their three sons were born after moving to Marshall. John and Dorothy built their dream home on Whitney Street in 1951. Dorothy pursued the role of wife and mother with great dedication. She cared well for her family and managed her household with diligence. After John died in 1981 Dorothy continued to live in the homestead until 2008. She moved to Morningside Nursing Home in Marshall, and spent her last few days on this earth at the Doughtery Hospice House. Dorothy loved gardening and was particularly fond of African Violets flowers which she grew in the basement. When they bloomed, she would move them upstairs. She also enjoyed knitting, sewing, and cross stitch. Dorothy was an avid bird watcher, and enjoyed the small animals that visited her bird bath and feeders. Dorothy always had cakes, cookies, or bars to contRibute to any occasion, or just to share over a cup of coffee. Dorothy was an active member of First Lutheran Church of Marshall, teaching Sunday School, participating in Circle Bible Study, and making quilts for those in need and to raise moneyfor the hospital. Dorothy passed away on Friday, SeptemBer 25, 2009 at the Doughtery Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. Dorothy was preceded in death by her devoted husband Dr. John Eckdale in 1981, her daughter Cathryn in 1976, and her brOther George Quammen in 1991. Dorothy is survived by her three sons, Thomas (Joyce) Eckdale of Georgetown, TX, James (Cindy) Eckdale of Mount Vernon, WA, and Robert (Rebecca) Eckdale of Middleton, WI. Survivors also include her grandchildren Paul Eckdale of San Antonio, TX, Molly (Matthew) Bohmfalk, of Temple, TX, Robert Eckdale, Jr. of Madison, WI, and Nicole (Ryan) Eckdale-Dudley of Milwaukee, WI, and great grandchildren Sophia, ChlOe, and Grace Eckdale-Dudley. Dorothy’s survivors also include brothers Elmer Quammen of Jefferson City, MO, and Edward Quammen of Los Angeles, CA. The family wishes to thank all those who were a friend to Dorothy. We particularly want to thank all who visited her, brought her flowers, provided rides to church, played cards and lunched with her, looked in on her just because, spoke a kind word or opened a door, spent time with her, and helped to make her life a little easier and more enjoyable. Memorial contributions can be made to Dougherty Hospice House, 4509 Prince of Peace Place, PO Box 5045, Sioux Falls, SD 57117-5045 or to the American Diabetes Association, ATTN: National Call Center, 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311. May the Lord Bless you and keep you.