Irene Eckley

Irene M. Eckley, 86, a resident of Fergus Falls, died Saturday, November 22, 2014 at Lake Region Hospital in Fergus Falls.

Irene Francis May Kronemann Eckley, was born June 12, 1928 to Maxmillian Carl Albert and
Whilhemine Charlotte Holthusen Kronemann in Fergus Falls. Irene was the 13th child born to Max and Wilhemine. She attended Independent School District Country School # 92, and graduated from Fergus Falls High School in 1946.

Irene married Allan Eckley on May 13, 1951, in Fergus Falls, MN.

Irene worked for Ben Kilde and the Coca Cola Plant before she was married. She was a homemaker and later worked for many years as a bookkeeper in the Otter Tail County Treasurer’s office.
Irene volunteered her time and many talents to several service organizations as well as her church. Some of her treasured memories were from working with the Cub /Boy Scouts, Bethlehem Lutheran Church’s Christian Education, the Red Cross Blood Mobile, Otter Tail County Election judges, the auxiliaries of the VFW, and DAV and she and Allan were among the founding members of the YMCA’s Y’s Folks. She was an avid reader and baker and a talented quilter.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, 10 of her siblings, her husband, Allan, and son Bruce.

Surviving members of her family are Greg (Judy) Eckley, Alyssa, (Mac Dixon Joiner), Taylor; Janice (Rod) Urtel, Jason (Erica) Bryan-Wegner, Brianna (Laurence) Farah, Scott (Caroline Olson) Urtel, Christopher (Laura) Urtel, Nels (Britta Gilbertson); Kristi Eckley, Breck (Molly) Eckley; Carter Eckley; sister, Ethel Thompson; brother, Ken Kronemann; nephew Steven (Roxanne) Kronemann, 9 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews and their families.

Memorials preferred to Bethlehem Cemetery or YMCA Scholarship Fund.

Visitation: 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, November 25, 2014 at Olson Funeral Home and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 26, 2014 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fergus Falls
Burial: Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN
Arrangements provided by Olson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls, MN