Fourth Generation

147. Leonard LaVern ECKELBERG Sr. was born on 16 August 1919 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.^50,51,79,166 (His middle name was listed as "Luverne" in the church baptism records.) He was baptized on 7 September 1919 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁶⁶ He appeared in the census in 1920 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁶ Leonard appeared in the census in 1930 in Wilton Township, Monroe County, WI.²⁸ He was living with his paternal grandparents. He appeared in the census in April 1940 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.⁷³ He died on 25 June 1981 at the age of 61 in La Crosse, La Crosse County, WI.^51,79 Leonard was buried on 27 June 1981 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^51,79,87 in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Leonard LaVern ECKELBERG Sr. and Edna Emma PURPUS were married on 11 February 1940 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.^158,167 Edna Emma PURPUS, daughter of Ralph PURPUS and Emma STEUCK, was born on 8 May 1921 in Wellington Township, Monroe County, WI.^50,167 She appeared in the census in 1940 in Ridgeville Township, Monroe County, WI.⁷³ She died on 19 October 2020 at the age of 99 in Sparta, Sparta Township, Monroe County, WI.¹⁶⁷

Obituary Notes: "Edna Emma Eckelberg, 99, of Tomah, died Monday, October 19, 2020 at Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center in Sparta.  She was born May 8, 1921 to Ralph and Emma (Steuck) Purpus in the Town of Wellington. 

Edna was united in marriage to Leonard Eckelberg on February 11, 1940 at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Ridgeville.  He preceded her in death in June of 1981.  Together they started farming in town of Wilton.  In 1957, they moved to their farm in the Town of Tomah. 

Edna was a faithful member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church and a member of the Cherry Valley Homemakers.  She was an excellent cook and will always be remembered for her homemade bread.  She enjoyed taking trips with her friends, especially the trips on the Missisippi Queen and on the pontoon on Lake Arbutus, country drives, gardening, bird watching, her favorite soap the Young and the Restless. 

She had dear friendship with Lucille Betcher and Lucy Sherwood.  Most important to Edna was her family.  She loved all of her big family dearly.  Her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren will always remember: chocolate chip cookies with Grandma, all of her stories, fixing her hair, the times she babysat, and mostly all of Grandma’s hugs.  She was always very proud of every one of them.  Edna had a warm and caring heart, and will be sadly missed by all that knew her.

She is survived by her children, Art Eckelberg of Tomah, Judy Kuehl of Pewaukee, Leonard “Junior” (Patti) Eckelberg of Tomah, Gary (Patty) Eckelberg of Tomah, Tom (Lory) Eckelberg of Tomah, Sue (Dale) Stickney of New Lisbon, Karl (Jane) Eckelberg of Tomah, 18 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, 24 great-great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by, a daughter and son-in-law Lou and Louie Marten, a daughter-in-law Sara Eckelberg, a son-in-law Gary Kuehl, granddaughter Katherine Eckelberg, 2 grandsons Troy and Cory Eckelberg, a great-grandson Joshua Johnson, 3 brothers and sisters-in-law Delbert and Evelyn Purpus, Lavern and Marge Purpus, and Elmer and Verna Purpus, 2 sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Eleanor and Louie Schaffer and Reuben and Celia Eckelberg.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 23, 2020, 12 Noon at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Ave. Tomah.  Pastor Backhaus will officiate.  Burial will be in the Oak Grove Memorial Gardens.

Relative and friends are invited to call on Friday from 10:00 A.M at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church until the time of the service.  Online condolences may be sent to www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.  The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

The family would like to thank the Staff of the Rolling Hills Rehabilitation Center for all of their loving care that they gave Edna."

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Leonard LaVern ECKELBERG Sr. and Edna Emma PURPUS had the following children: