Raymond William Eckelberg, 81, of Kendall died Sunday, April 10, 2005 at his son’s home in Janesville. He was born December 18, 1923 to Louis and Ruth (Westphal) Eckelberg in the Town of La Grange, Monroe County, WI.
He was united in marriage to Margaret F. Winchell on October 16, 1948 at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Kendall. To this union six children were born. She preceded him in death February 26, 1966. He was married to Dorothy (Preuss) Solchenberger on July 29, 1967 at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Kendall.
Ray farmed on South Ridge for 14 years. |In 1963 he moved to the Town of Glendale and did carpentry and construction work for the next 38 years. Upon retirement he worked for the Town of Glendale Recycling Program. He was a member of the Carpenter Union for many years. He was a faithful member of St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Kendall.
Raymond is survived by his wife Dorothy, six children: Kandis (Spencer) Warner, Kris (Brenda) Eckelberg both of Friendship, Kathy (Doug) Parish, and Kenny (Debbie) Eckelberg both of Janesville, Karina (James) Noll of Limerick, PA, Kelly (Kay) Eckelberg of South Beloit, IL, 4 step-children Carol Jeske of Minocqua, Helen (Herb) Ritter of West Allis, Allen (Patty) Solchenberger of Sparta, and Dale (Cindy) Solchenberger of Franklin, 24 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren,
2 brothers Robert of Tomah and Reinold (Wilmetta) of Montello, 4 sisters Ruby Butterfuss of Tomah, Marie (Gilbert) Neitzel of Onalaska, Lucille (Vernon) Hemerley of Tomah, and Gladys (Roger) Kaus of Raleigh, NC, 2 sisters-in-law, Alvera Eckelberg of Kendall and Marion Eckelberg of Janesville, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Ruth Eckelberg, his first wife, Margaret, two brothers, Loren and Charles Eckelberg, a grandson, 2 stepdaughters Brenda Miller and Wanda Solchenberger and a step-granddaughter.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 14, 2005, 11:00 A. |M. at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Kendall. Pastor Fred Fedke will officiate. Burial will be in South Ridge Lutheran Cemetery, in the Town of Wellington. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the church on Wednesday from 4:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. and on Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until time of the services.
A prayer service will be held at the church on Wednesday evening at 8:00 P.M.
Smith-Nelson Funeral Home is assisting family with arrangements.
Ray’s family would like to express a special thank you to St. Joseph’s Hospital, Hillsboro, Pastor Fedke, Pastor Lehman, Hospice, Care, Inc., Robert and Josh Sonnenburg, the Smith-Nelson Funeral Home and the many friends and relatives who assisted through out Ray’s illness.