She was baptized Feb. 2, 1941 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Chaska where she attended parochial school. There she lived on a farm and later moved, along with her special brother William and folks, to the Truman family farm. There she attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and was confirmed along with her brother on April 25, 1954.

She attended Truman Public School and participated in many school, church and other activities, developing many lifelong friendships along the way. As a freshman, she met and started dating Richard Eckmann, graduating together in 1958. Graduating from beauty school, she then worked for Fashion Beauty Salon in downtown Minneapolis before marrying her sweetheart Dick on Aug. 7, 1960. They moved to St. Paul, where she worked at Emporium Beauty Salon, eventually moving to Shoreview, Minn.

They had two daughters, Susan and Jill. In 1970, they returned to Truman, moving onto the family farm and later building a beauty shop in the basement of the home where she worked part time. She enjoyed styling hair and making many friends.

In 2000 they made their first trip to Port Aransas, Texas. After that, they went every winter to spend about three months in the sun! They continued going south after retiring from their jobs. It also gave them more time to spend with their daughters and families which gave her much joy, as this was such a priority for her.

She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and engaged in many activities such as Ruth Circle and Ladies Aid. She will always be remembered as a talented artist, poet, quilter, seamstress and thoroughly enjoyed cooking and gardening.

In 2023, they moved to Goldfinch Estates in Fairmont, Minn. where she participated in Bridge, Dominos and card games and any social activity offered, making many new friends along the way.

Pat passed unexpectedly and peacefully, joining her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on April 18, 2026.

Pat deeply loved God and her family. Left to cherish her memory include her loving husband of 65 years, Dick of Fairmont, Minn.; daughters Susan (Joe) Willette of Inver Grove Heights, Minn. and Jill (Tim) Wiedow of Spirit Lake, Iowa; five grandchildren, Benjamin Willette of Minn., Ellayna Avila (Angel) of Ariz., Trystan Wiedow (Hannah) of Wis., Savannah (Will) Fuelberth of Iowa, Gavyn Wiedow of Iowa; three great-grandchildren, Esme’ Avila, Nile Wiedow, and Rowena Fuelberth.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, mother and father-in laws.

A funeral service will be held at 11 am Monday, April 27, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Truman. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm Sunday, April 26, at Zaharia Funeral Home and continue one hour before the service at the church. Online condolences can be left and a live stream of the service can be viewed at www.zahariafamilyfuneral.com.

Memorials to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or Alzheimer’s Associated are appreciated and preferred.

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