Avis Eckel
December 16, 2011
Avis Eckel, 86, longtime resident of Mitchellville, died Friday, December 16, 2011, in Denton, TX. She had been ill several months, suffering from cancer.
From 1967 to 1990, Avis was with the Stoner Broadcasting System corporate office, first in Des Moines and then in Annapolis, Maryland, where she retired as vice president for finance, and board member. After retirement, she moved to Denton with Rudy, her husband of 58 years. He preceded her in death in 2006, as did her parents, William and Elizabeth Van Dyke.
Avis is survived by her children, Diana (David) Neff of Princeton, Janice Rasmussen of Indianola, and Bruce (Brenda) Eckel of Denton; grandchildren, Brianna, Clayton, Miranna, and Joshua Eckel, and Amy Rasmussen; sister, Laurie Van Dyke; close friend, Kris Kristoferson; and a host of other family and beloved friends.
During her Des Moines career, Avis served on the boards of Stone Crest and Home Plan Savings & Loan. In 1971, she was charter president of the Des Moines chapter of Executive Women. She was elected in 1961 to the first board of education for the Southeast Polk School District, serving on the board for nine years, as president in 1964.
Avis was born March 28, 1925, in Prairie City. She lived much of her life on a farm near Mitchellville, which was operated by her father, and then her husband.
Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m., Wednesday, December 21, 2011, at Mitchellville Christian Church, 210 3rd St NW, with burial to follow at Mitchellville Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, at the church.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Southeast Polk Dollars for Scholars, 9379 NE University Avenue, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327, (515) 967-4294, or Mitchellville Christian Church, 210 3rd St. NW, Mitchellville, IA 50169.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Bob and Debbie Sabin
12/21/2011
We wish to express our sincere sympathy to all of you. Bob was a business manager, under Avis' watchful eye, for Stoner Broadcasting. She hired him in 1977, in Huntington WV with WGNT Radio, and in later years in Dayton OH. She supported him during a near fatal car accident and the loss of our son at the age of 22 to Cancer. She was a true friend to Bob and they remained in contact after her retirement. Her and Rudy were wonderful people and the world is a lesser place without them. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this painful time.
Jean Tannatt
12/20/2011
Avis was a dear friend for many years and a very classy lady. She was on the first SE Polk District School Board and hired my husband, Kermit Tannatt (who died on September 9, 2011) as the first Athletic Director K-12. In Kerm's book, "she was the best." Sorry I won't be able to attend the services as I am currently in Maryland where I will be moving as of January 26 to be close to my daughter and family. Janice, thank you for keeping us posted via my emails and phone calls from Carol and Dorothy. As a family go forth now with pride as you had a wonderful mother. Love, Jean
Patrick Waldorf
12/19/2011
Sorry for your loss.