BOONE, Iowa—Funeral arrangements are being set for Rebecca J. Eckstein, (Becky Eckstein) was born July 6, 1950 to Glendon and Marilyn Rossow. Becky loved growing up on a small Iowa farm in Lohrville, Iowa. Ever the big helper to her mom and sidekick to her dad. By the time that inquisitive little girl started off to kindergarten, her love for learning was already well established and her desire to learn about her world, past and present, always intrigued her. During these childhood years she became big sister to Bindy, Bobbi, and Brett. As the oldest, she graciously took on the role as playmate, teacher, organizer, mentor, caretaker, and sometimes “the boss.” But all the while continuing to ever foster her love of education.
Always an interested student she loved school and quickly developed an interest in history, world events, and how things work. It is no surprise when she turned 16 a driver’s license was life changing. Soon new experiences took her away from that small Iowa farm… and that inquisitive nature led her to continue to think, wonder, and do. She left to attend college at Iowa State University, which at that time was quite a brave adventure for a small-town Iowa farm girl. She graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and became a Kindergarten teacher in Ogden. Oh, how she loved those children and the opportunity to share her love for learning.
It was about this time that she met the love of her life, George Eckstein. Their relationship always has been a special one; full of love, respect, and lots of adventure. Family had always been important to both of them and soon they welcomed their son Max. Now as a mother, Becky could continue her role as teacher and share her love of adventure. And what adventures they had… cross country road trips, football games, volunteering, family reunions, world travel, Iowa State tailgates, countless gatherings with friends, card games, train trips, and wine tastings. Over the course of 46 years, Becky and George traveled the world, made friends there that turned into family, and put countless miles on whatever fun car they owned. Always racing home so Becky could continue to volunteer and serve on multiple boards involving her passions of education, history, religion, and community. She was always thinking of others and quick to lend a hand to others and her community.
In recent years she also finally gained a daughter she always wanted, Carrie (daughter-in-law). During these last few years, one of her happiest moments took place with the birth of her granddaughter, Burke. Not only was she named after Becky’s mom, she was also born on her great grandmother’s birthday! Becoming a grandmother gave Becky the opportunity to become a teacher again. She helped to instill the fierce love of family, goodness, and kindness into Burke. Most recently Becky has been able to let that love continue to grow as she’s been able to hold and snuggle her twin grandsons, Augustus and Aksel.
And now, Becky is on a new adventure. She has traded those cars, train and plane trips, and even her own two feet for a new means of getting out to explore: Angel wings.
She is survived by her husband George Eckstein, son and daughter-in-law, Max and Carrie, and their children. She was preceded in death by her parents Glenn and Marilyn Rossow.
Other survivors include an extensive family tree: sister Bindy and husband Reg, children Josh, Jake and his fiancée Grace, Katie and husband Mike, and their two children Peyton and Ryder. The next tree branch is her sister Bobbi, and children Kylie and husband Andy, and son Kelsey. Continuing to branch out is her brother Brett and wife Carol, with son Alex and daughter in-law
Gena, and four children Lydia, Claire, Miriam, and Wesley and daughter Abbey and husband Justin, with three daughters Millie, Hattie, and Winnie.
Additional branches include additional family, too many great friends and neighbors to adequately mention, and all who have loved and cherished Becky. There will be a graveside service at Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone, Iowa on Friday, June 26th at 1:30 p.m. At a future date a celebration of Becky’s life will be held with details to follow later. The family wishes to thank everyone for your love, support, friendship, and prayers throughout her life; especially this most recent difficult time. Becky requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to the Friends of Ericson Public Library in Boone, Iowa.
Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online condolences may be left at www.schroederfuneral.com.
Rebecca J. (Becky) Eckstein, Boone, Iowa
