Clinton Eckman
1937 – 2008
Clinton Louis Eckman, 70, of Sebeka, Minnesota, died Thursday, May 8, 2008, at Tri County Hospital in Wadena, Minnesota.
Clinton was born to Louis and Naomi (Hamlin) Eckman on August 22, 1937, in Sebeka, where he was raised and attended school. He graduated from Sebeka High School in 1955 then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was united in marriage to Shirley Widell, his childhood sweetheart, on December 20, 1956. He worked in Minneapolis at various jobs, he then gained employment at Univac were he remained for 13 years. He returned to Sebeka in 1970, where he was the head custodian at the Sebeka Public School from 1970 to 1999 when he retired. Clinton loved outdoor activities including hunting and fishing. He enjoyed playing cards especially cribbage. He was an all around handyman, history buff and fishing storyteller. Clinton was a loving husband and caregiver to his wife and sweetheart Shirley during her illness.
Clinton will be lovingly remembered by his five daughters, Pamela (Ted) Heino of Menahga, Minnesota; Jody Anderson of Iowa; Cindy Sarkela of Sebeka; SueAnn (Paul) Lepinski of Northfield, Minnesota; Betsy (Scott) Larson of Wadena; two sons, Todd (Janet) Eckman of Sebeka, and Daniel (Marcy) Eckman of Pierz, Minnesota; three sisters, Marian Hoem of Washington, Joyce (James) Erickson of Park Rapids Minnesota; Patty (Keith) Frame of Nimrod, Minnesota; five brothers, Carroll (Arlene) Eckman of Embarrass, Minnesota; Ronald (Maryann) Eckman of Cass Lake, Minnesota; Jim (Jean) Eckman of Sebeka; Larry (Linna) Eckman of Torrance, California; Owen (Michelle) Eckman of Menahga; 24 grandchildren, 14 great- grandchildren, special friend Tessa, many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Shirley, two grandchildren: Kaitlyn and Tony, one great-grandchild Dominic, son-in-law Donny Sarkela, brother-in-law Gary Hoem, nephew Josh, and niece Janet.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 16, at Sebeka United Methodist Church with Pastor Loren Ferch officiating. Linda Roiko will serve as organist. Soloing “Bridge Over Troubled Water” will be Sam Eckman accompanied by Lee Arthur. Congregational hymns will be “Never Grow Old” and “The Old Rugged Cross.” Special music will be a video recording of “Men with Broken Hearts.” Active casketbearers will be his brothers and brothers-in-law, Carroll Eckman, Ronald Eckman, James Eckman, Larry Eckman, Owen Eckman, James Erickson and Keith Frame. Honorary pallbearers will be all of his grandchildren and great- grandchildren.Private inurnment will be at Sebeka West Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be given to the soft spots of his heart, Sebeka First Response, Tri-County Hospice or The American Cancer Society. A special acknowledgement to Jim and Jean for the care given to Clint the past four months.
Arrangements were entrusted to Wevley Funeral Home Sebeka.
