Geneva E. Eckhardt, age 91, of McCook passed away at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook on Monday, March 22, 2021. She was born in Sioux Center, Iowa on November 21, 1929 to Peter Roy and Gertrude (Horstman) Bartels. At a young age Geneva relocated several times with her family and attended school in Iowa and Washington State before moving to Nebraska. On November 26, 1946 she was united in marriage to John Eckhardt in Culbertson, Nebraska. The couple moved to Denver, Colorado for eight years before returning to Nebraska in 1953 to operate the family farm northwest of Culbertson. Geneva worked at several jobs, with the most prominent being the department manager of Health and Beauty at Hinky-Dinky Grocery in McCook. Geneva was regarded by many as GRANDMA. Geneva was an excellent seamstress designing and constructing much of her daughter, Debra's wardrobe as well as husband, Johns tailored suit jackets. She was a 4-H leader instructing young 4-Her's in the art of sewing, knitting, and crocheting afghans, sweaters, baby blankets, and making a lifetime supply of "scrubby" dish scratchers and dish clothes for her family and friends. She and husband, John loved square dancing as well as the waltz and other styles of dancing; the couple could tear up any dance floor. They enjoyed travel to Johns many United States Navy Reunions and ceremonies. Geneva was a regular at the McCook Eagles Club and TJs Family Fun Center playing pitch with her friends on card nights. She loved the independence of driving and until recently, drove herself and friends regularly. It was Geneva's deep and sustaining love of family that was the driving force of her life. She loved and cherished her family and treated them all equally. Geneva was a Christian woman and a member of the Peace Lutheran Church of McCook. Geneva is preceded in death by her husband, John in 2005; parents, Peter and Gertrude; three brothers: Gerald (Mary) Bartels, Howard (Betty) Bartels, and Robert "Bob" Jensen. Geneva is survived by her daughter, Debra and husband, Ron Axtell, of North Platte; son, John D. and wife, Misty Eckhardt, of Minden; five grandchildren: Christopher (Amy) Axtell; Heather (Bill) Axtell; Jessika (Chris) Botruff; Kati (Josh) Osterbuhr; Jakob Eckhardt; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great- grandchildren; two sisters, Wilma Stocks of Orange, CA and Carol (Bill) Masten of Grand Rapids, MI. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 28, 2021 at the Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel in McCook, NE from 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held at the Peace Lutheran Church on Monday, March 29, 2021 at 10:00 AM with Pastor Lonnie Felcher officiating; the family has requested masks to be worn. A Private family burial will be held at Fort McPherson National Cemetery at Maxwell, NE. Memorials may be left in Geneva's name to the Home Health and Hospice of McCook. Friends may leave online condolences at herrmannfh.com. Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements. Visitation Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel Sunday, March 28, 2021 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM 607 Norris Avenue McCook, Nebraska 69001 Funeral Service Peace Lutheran Church Monday, March 29, 2021 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM 411 East 6th Street McCook, Nebraska 69001
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