Biram Milton Eckman

Biram Milton Eckman, age 77, of Ottertail, died Wednesday, September 3, 2014, at PioneerCare in Fergus Falls.

Biram was born November 21, 1936, at home in Oak Valley Township of Otter Tail County, MN, to John and Mabel (Irons) Eckman. He grew up on the family farm between Deer Creek and Hewitt. As a boy he enjoyed jumping logs while riding his horse Topsy. The family worshiped at the Union Corner Church where he attended Sunday School. Biram went to School in Deer Creek where he graduated with the Class of 1955. After High School he worked in the potato fields around Sabin.

On June 8, 1957 he married Loye Rutherford in Henning, MN. Together they moved to South St. Paul where they worked and raised their family. Over the years Biram worked for Armours in South St. Paul, Tapemark in West St. Paul, Coca Cola in Eagan and later as an employee at Advanced Water Solutions in Fergus Falls. He was baptized as an adult at the University Good Samaritan in Minneapolis. In 1998 he moved to Ottertail where he’s been a member of St John’s Lutheran Church.

He loved nature and being outdoors, whether fishing, hunting, cutting wood, blowing snow, snowmobiling, camping, canoeing or just working on his vehicles. He was known for his handyman skills, being able to fix almost anything and his willingness to help a neighbor, friend or family member in any way he could. He took his family on many vacations camping and snowmobiling.

Biram was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers; Raymond Buchholtz, Paul Eckman and Alvin Eckman, three sisters; Lena (Buchholtz) Gunkel, Dorothy Buchholtz and Eileen (Eckman) Krueger, his son, Steven Eckman and a nephew, Terry Eckman.

He is survived by his daughters; Linda Trousdale of Plano, TX and Patricia Senner of Boring, OR, grandchildren: Melissa (Dan) Windsor, Joe Leonard (fiancée Megan Matthews), Kayleen Eckman and Ryan Keaveney, great-grandchildren; Sydney, Aidyn, Chloe, Tallula, Penelope, and Georgia Windsor; daughter-in-law, Maureen Eckman; a niece Tammy (Tim) Lueders of Ottertail, a great-nephew, Jacob (Maria) Lueders of Fort Carson, CO, his ex-wife, Loye Eckman, a family friend/ ‘adopted brother’, Dean Davis of Nelson, MN as well as many other nieces and nephews.

Biram will be remembered by many as a joy to be around and as the man who always had a twinkle in his eye, a great sense of humor, and a bag of candy bars to share. Biram's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Lake Region Hospital, Pioneer ShortStay and other area businesses, for their kind and compassionate care over the months and years.

Visitation: Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014 from 4 to 7 pm at the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls with Prayers at 6:30. Visitation will resume at the church one hour before the service.
Service: 11:00 am Friday, September 19, 2014 at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 31963 County Highway 61 Ottertail, Minnesota 56571
Clergy: Reverend Dr. Karl Weber
Burial: Oak Valley Cemetery north of Wrightstown
Olson Funeral Home of Fergus Falls is in charge of arrangements