Donna Eckert Obituary

Donna Jean Jorgensen was born September 19, 1958 in Murdo, South Dakota to Garret Frank and Betty Louise (Parker) Jorgensen joining siblings Margaret, Lorna and David and later sister Teresa. She grew up in Murdo attending school and graduating from Murdo High School in 1976. In her younger years she enjoyed working with her friends at the motels in Murdo and spent a lot of time babysitting for various families in the community.

Donna held various jobs in her lifetime. She lived in Pierre and worked for the state for a few years before coming back home to Murdo to help take care of her family. Donna spent many years cooking meals for the elderly in the community at the Murdo Senior Center which she dearly loved, she also worked several years at the Triple H Truck stop and made many friends who would be traveling through and mentored many kids that worked there. She most recently worked at Graham's Best Western and enjoyed visiting with those traveling through and always having a word of advice for her coworkers. She passionately served on the Rural Health Care Inc. board of directors for 30 years.

On November 8, 1980 Donna married the love of her life William Paul Eckert at Messiah Lutheran Church in Murdo. They were blessed with two daughters Carissa Louise on September 8, 1981 and Caitlin Ade'le on June 15, 1988.

Donna's family was her pride and joy. She was a devoted and loving wife and mother going above and beyond taking care of her husband and children and the rest of her family. She loved all of her nieces and nephews and holds a special place in many of their hearts especially her great nieces and nephews. In May Donna finally got the title she had always wanted Grandma. She was always there for anyone with her beautiful smile, a word of advice even if it wasn't what you wanted to hear and her famous Donna hugs.

Donna is survived by her loving and devoted husband of almost 38 years William "Bill" Eckert of Okaton. Daughters Carissa Louise Alloway and husband Frank of Rapid City and Caitlin Ade'le Brodrecht and husband Grady of Presho. Granddaughter Quincey Ruzena Brodrecht. Brother David Jorgensen and wife Kathy of Covington, TN and sisters Lorna Kittelson and husband Steve of Brooklyn Park, MN and Teresa Hatheway and husband Jerry of Murdo, SD. Sisters-in-law Helen Oldenkamp of Omaha, NE; Freda Peters of Pierre, SD; Ruth Foote and Lois Quatier of Yankton, SD; Phyllis Filler and husband Lloyd of Winner, SD and Grace Schmitgen and husband Gary of Pierre, SD. As well as her many beloved nieces and nephews and other kids she helped raise over the years.

She was preceded in death by her parents Gary and Betty Jorgensen, sisters Margaret Jorgensen; and Donna Jean Jorgensen in infancy, her father-in-law and mother-in-law Philip and Alvena Eckert, and niece Kayla Jorgensen.

Visitation will be Friday, October 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. with a prayer service at 6 p.m. CDT at the Harold Thune Auditorium.

Funeral services will be Saturday, October 13 at 11 a.m. CDT at the Harold Thune Auditorium in Murdo.

Interment will be at St. Peter's Lutheran Church Cemetery in rural Midland.

In lieu of flowers a memorial is established to Mainstreet Living.

Service Details

VISITATION
Friday, October 12 - 4-6 p.m. CDT
Harold Thune Auditorium
Murdo, South Dakota

PRAYER SERVICE
Friday, October 12 - 6:00 p.m. CDT
Harold Thune Auditorium
Murdo, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICE
Saturday, October 13, 2018 - 11:00 a.m. CDT
Harold Thune Auditorium
Murdo, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Gregory Hinners
Pastor Ray Greenseth

MUSIC
Dianne Bork - Pianist
Congregational Hymns
“I’m But a Stranger Here”
“For Me to Live is Jesus”
“On Eagles Wings”
“I Know That My Redeemer Lives”

USHERS
Bob Bork - Mark Reiman - Herman Bork - Jim Peters

REGISTER BOOK ATTENDANTS
Jewell Bork - Val Feddersen

PALLBEARERS
Cody Hatheway - Chris Hatheway - Andy Hatheway
Colby Fuller - Tom Parquet - Justin Bryan

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
St. Peter’s Lutheran Cemetery
Midland, South Dakota

Guest Book

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Donna's family.
~ Mike & Dawn Cromwell Butternut, Wisconsin (10/8/2018)

We are so sorry for your lost I didn't know Donna was that ill. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
~ Mark & Dana Wolff Sioux Falls SD (10/9/2018)

It's hard to even believe. You were one of those people who just seemed invincible. You were like another mother when I was little. Your hugs will never be forgotten. Love to all!
~ Samantha Bills Nekoosa Wisconsin (10/9/2018)

Prayers to you and your family Bill
~ Mike Girard & Family Irene, SD (10/8/2018)

We are thinking of you and praying for you, we are so sorry to hear of your loss.
~ Keith and Judy (Daum) Moody Winner, SD (10/12/2018)

So sorry for your tremendous loss--the void. She was an amazing lady admired by many. A smile that never ended & blessed all. Prayers & hugs to you. May God comfort you. He has another angel with Him now. Bless you, Greg & Joyce
~ Joyce Williamson Rapid City,SD (10/9/2018)

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time. She was a wonderful person.
~ Valerie R Myers Blunt SD (10/12/2018)

Prayers to Bill and family. Donna will be missed. She was an awesome person.
~ Ruby Sanftner Kadoka (10/8/2018)

My prayers are with you Bill and all of Donna's family. I will always remember Donna with a big smile and those twinkling eyes!! She was a wonderful person. My family and I are so sorry for your loss.
~ Kate Bradley Philip (10/9/2018)

I am so sorry to hear about Donna she was a wonderful person she would help any body she will be missed my prayers are for the whole family
~ Judy Bosanco Blunt S.D (10/8/2018)

So sorry to hear about Donna. She was such a friendly lady and I recall many fun times back when we used to go out to Aunt Teen and Uncle Curt's house and have get togethers. She will be greatly missed by all. Hugs and prayers.
~ Courtney McFarland Kemmerer, WY (10/8/2018)

Always in our hearts. you will be so missed by so many. Thoughts and prayers
~ Val & Dawn Luckett & Family Wessington Springs SD (10/8/2018)

My sympathy to Bill and family. Prayers are sent your way.
~ JoAnn(Buxcel) Saffert New Ulm, MN (10/9/2018)

Donna was like mother to me,always by my side no matter what. She was such a beautiful person inside and out. We will all miss her. Keeping the family in our thoughts and prayers
~ Darrin Jackson Belle Fourche (10/9/2018)

I am so very sorry! Donna was a wonderful lady and I always enjoyed our visits. She will truly be missed. Prayers to her entire family and may you all find comfort in your memories.
~ J'Nai Hauk Quinn, SD (10/9/2018)

Donna was such a beautiful, amazing woman! My sympathies to her family and friends. She will be missed by many!
~ Kim Petersen Philip, SD (10/8/2018)

Donna always jumped in help no matter what the job was. You will be missed by so many. Prayers to her family and friends.
~ South Dakota Auctioneers Association Statewide (10/8/2018)

Bill, It is so difficult to find the words, you know that I love you both and I will miss my phone calls with her so very much, and most of all her laugh. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls. I will miss her so very much. She was one of a kind.
~ Debbie Niemeyer Skiatook, Oklahoma (10/9/2018)

I knew Donna thru my friend Emma Michelak.Donna was a hard worker,always ready to help anyone.Sympathy to her family.
~ Tami Boe Anderson Colton,South Dakota (10/8/2018)