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Obituaries » Beverly A. Echtenkamp

Beverly A. Echtenkamp

September 18, 1932 - September 29, 2022

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Beverly “Bev” Ann Echtenkamp, 90, loving mother of three, and adoring wife to late husband, Merlin, passed away peacefully at home on September 29, 2022. 

 

Bev was born on her family farm near Decatur, Nebraska on September 18, 1932, the sixth of seven of Frank and Marie Conklin’s children. She enjoyed growing up near the Winnebago reservation and fondly shared stories of her days spent on the farm. During her early education, she attended a one room settlement school through 8th grade and graduated from Decatur High School in 1949.

 

After graduation, she moved to Sioux City to attend secretarial school. She met the love of her life, Merlin Echtenkamp, who resided in the same boarding house. Bev and Merlin were married on June 16, 1951. Her favorite role was being a mother to her three children, Victoria, Mary, and Mark.

 

While the children were young and Merlin worked on the railroad, Bev was a stay-at-home mom. She also did volunteer work, and stayed busy with sewing projects and cooking.

 

After the kids graduated high school, Bev worked in the business office at St. Luke’s Hospital in Sioux City. Upon retirement in December of 1992, she enjoyed volunteering for the Ronald McDonald House and at church, and making innumerable handmade quilts for multiple causes. Beverly’s most notable role was being the greatest mother, grandmother, and great grandmother ever.

 

Bev and Merlin enjoyed weekly card games with close friends, playing golf, going for drives, being winter birds in Florida, attending Palestine Lutheran Church in Huxley, and spending time with their grandchildren and great grandchildren. In her later years, Bev spent most of her free time making quilts with her good friends, the Palestine Peacemakers aka “the quilting gals,” from church. 

 

Left to cherish Beverly’s memory are her three children, Victoria (John) Wiedemeier, Mary Echtenkamp, and Mark (Cecilia) Echtenkamp; four grandchildren, Sean (Manuela) Wiedemeier, Kelli Daly, Kristen (Brandon) Cook, and Mathew Echtenkamp; and six great-grandchildren, João Wiedemeier, Grace and Jonathan Daly, Dominic, Emma, and Harper Cook. She is preceded in death by her parents; several siblings; and her husband, Merlin.

 

A private memorial service will be held, and her urn will be interred at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, Iowa. Memorial contributions can be made in Beverly’s name to the Navajo Water Project or Palestine Lutheran Church in Huxley, Iowa. 

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