Jim Eckhardt

John James (J. Jim) Eckhardt was born in LaSalle, CO to John E and Katie (Steinmiller) Eckhardt. His parents both immigrated from Russia at a young age. He grew up in the Greeley and Kersey areas and graduated from Greeley Central High School in 1940.

On January 31, 1942 he married Lillian Wright in Castle Rock, CO. Mrs. Eckhardt passed away October 17, 1997.

Mr. Eckhardt operated a dairy farm near Kersey until his retirement. He was active in many groups throughout the years including Kersey Lions Club, Platte Valley Grange, Weld County Rock & Mineral Society, and Kersey Senior Center. He served on the Platte Valley Schools RE7 Board of Education, and was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Greeley, and later joined the Kersey Community Church.

Mr. Eckhardt was an accomplished high school basketball player, and worked at Warnoco roller skating rink where he first dated his future wife. Later he was active in league bowling for many years in Greeley. He was expert at fly fishing, and remained an avid fisherman all his life. As a boy he would hunt after school and often brought home supper. After retiring, he and Lillian traveled across many states to dig and mine for precious minerals. He taught himself lapidary work including faceting, and made all kinds of jewelry for family and friends. He enjoyed billiards both at home and at the senior center. In later years he enthusiastically took up cooking and a favorite of many was his lemon meringue pies. Jim also liked to garden and especially enjoyed raising Wilson Sweet watermelon.

Survivors: Son J.D. Eckhardt and wife Lois of Kersey; daughter Jodelle and husband Chris Stromberger of LaSalle; and daughter Judy and husband Rick Reeve of Kersey; one sister and one brother, Elma McAvoy and Robert (Elsie) Eckhardt all of Greeley; eight grandchildren Rick (Barb) Eckhardt of Kersey, Amy (Virtus) Banowetz of Kersey, Jay Eckhardt of Loveland, Jill (Gunnar) Magi of Estonia, Joy (Moses) Estrada of Hillrose, Rhonda (Darren) Siem of Evans, Jenna (Les) Worley of Wasilla, AK, and Rachel Reeve of Evans; and 15 great grandchildren, Mikhaila Eckhardt of Amherst, MA, Andrew Eckhardt of Bozeman, MT, Ashley and Brandon Banowetz of Kersey, Aaron Eckhardt of Loveland, Greta, Theo, and Gloria Magi of Estonia, Eden, Malachi, Silas and Zion Estrada of Hillrose, Lauryn and Lincoln Worley of Wasilla, AK and Violet Siem of Evans.

Preceded in death by: His wife Lillian, his parents, two sisters, Elsie (Bert) Bush and Edith (Glen) Shupe, and daughter-in-law Sally (Orr) Eckhardt.

Services: Private graveside service. Memorial service at Kersey Community Church at 10:30 am on Saturday, March 15, 2014.

Notes: Gifts may be made to the Jim Eckhardt memorial fund in care of Stoddard Funeral Home, 3205 W. 28th St., Greeley CO 80634.