Ida Mae Eckey
April 29, 2016
Ida Mae (Idy) Eckey, 89, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2016. Services will be held Friday, May 20, 2016 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1105 Grand Ave in West Des Moines with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. and the memorial service at 11 a.m.
Idy was born January 25, 1927 to Mable (Reed) and Elmer Swanson in Kiron, IA. She graduated from Kiron High School where she enjoyed playing 3 on 3 basketball. After high school, Idy worked as an executive secretary and married Thomas M. Eckey on May 28, 1950. Idy was a devoted mother and wife. She loved to watch Cubs baseball and college basketball. She was a talented cook and had a knack for entertaining friends and family. She and Tom enjoyed birdwatching and traveling. Idy was a long time member of St. Mark Lutheran Church and a charter member of PEO Chapter MS. Idy was also an active volunteer with her church, Little League, and with the Lutheran Hospital Flower Cart.
She is survived by her husband, Thomas M. Eckey; children, Reed (Mary Ann) Eckey, Debra Lenox and Sara (Kent) Johnson; her nieces, Pam Lilja and Peggy (Doyle) Jobe; nephew, Paul Swanson; 5 grandchildren; and 5 great-grandchildren. Idy was preceded in death by her parents; her in-laws, Margaret and Harold Eckey; her brother, Gage Swanson; her sister-in-law, Donna Swanson; and her favorite scruffy little black dog, Smudge.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to St. Mark Lutheran Church.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
doug turner
05/18/2016
sara & kent - sorry to hear about your mom's passing sara. thoughts and prayers to you and kent, your dad and the rest of your family.
Barbara Morhardt
05/04/2016
Idy & I worked together at the P.E.O. office. We all looked forward to the treats she brought for coffee break. She was a great cook & shared lots of wonderful recipes. She was so proud of her grandchildren & we shared lots of family stories. Our sympathy to Tom & to the rest of her family.
Chuck & Karen Gonzales
05/03/2016
We were blessed to know such a warm and lovely lady as Idy. Our deepest sympathies to Tom and his family.