Nancy Eckardt

Nancy B. Eckardt, 94, of Sheboygan passed away August 12, 2015. Her four children were at her side, singing her favorite hymns, as she passed peacefully into the arms of her Savior. Nancy was born on July 2, 1921 in Rochester, MN to David Mayo Berkman and Frances Scott Berkman. Her grandmother Gertrude Mayo Berkman was the sister of the brothers who founded the Mayo Clinic with their father, William Worrall Mayo. Nancy's father was also a doctor at the Clinic and a partner of the Mayo brothers. Nancy attended Scripps College in CA and the University of Minnesota, graduating cum laude in 1943. She returned to Rochester and met the love her of life, Burnell F. Eckardt, a young doctor on fellowship at the Mayo Clinic, on a blind date on Friday the 13th, December 1946. They married four months later and enjoyed 58 happy years together until his death in 2005. Together they had four loving children, Jan Eckardt Butler (Robert) of Tulsa, OK, Helen Eckardt Berkman of Denver, CO, Rev. Burnell F. Eckardt Jr. (Carol) of Kewanee, IL, and Nan Eckardt (Simon Tavener) of Fort Collins, CO. Nancy also has nine grandchildren, Burnell R. (Amanda), Andrew (Kristy), Peter (Allison), John (Alissa), Joseph, and Michael Eckardt, Anne Marie and Ian Butler, and Mark Raabe, and four great grandchildren: Sarah, David, Beverly, and Camilla. She is also survived by two sisters and many beloved nieces and nephews. Nancy was active in the Medical Auxiliary, Sheboygan Service Club, the United Way Board, and the Town and Country Garden Club. She was a devout member of Zion Church and especially loved singing in the choir. She was one of the founders of Maywood Environmental Park, where she was a dedicated volunteer and an editor of its newsletter for many years. She was an ardent Brewer's fan, loved playing golf and tennis, gardening and flower arranging, playing cards, baking bread, telling family stories, planning the family's (in fact everyone's) activities, and especially spending time with her family and friends. Nancy had a special sparkle in her eyes that will be remembered by all who met her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Maywood Environmental Park or Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice. Her family invites you to her funeral service on Friday, August 21st at 2:00 pm at Zion Evangelical Covenant Church, 1125 N. 6th St. in Sheboygan, Rev. Chris McKnight officiating. Visitation will start at 12:00 PM.