Elizabeth ""Bette"" Eckman

Elizabeth ""Bette"" Eckman, age 82, of Litchfield, MN died on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at the Ecumen Bethany Home in Litchfield, MN. A memorial service will be held at 6:00 PM on Thursday May 26, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church in Litchfield. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be held at Lake Ripley Cemetery, Litchfield, MN. Mary Elizabeth (Bette) Eckman was born on February 1, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York to William and Providencia (Ferrant) Weyde . Bette grew up in Brooklyn, and was the oldest of 12 children. In 1953 she married Ron Leaf and they moved to Clarion, Iowa where their children were born; Carl Randolph (Randy), Michelle Mary (Missy), Thomas Weyde and Lori Ann. In 1968 they moved to Litchfield, Mn. Bette stayed at home to raise the kids, but was also busy working as the church secretary at the Presbyterian Church, participated in many church groups, and was a very good bowler. Bette was known as a wonderful cook and liked to use ingredients that she grew up with in New York such as plantains, cilantro, avocado and peppers. She also made homemade root beer. She was also an excellent quilter and sewer and made many items of clothing for the family, and made many beautiful quilts and quilted wall hangings. In 1983 she received her Licensed Practical Nurse degree from Willmar Community College and worked as a nurse at Meeker Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed nursing and especially loved working in the nursery with the babies. She retired from the Hospital in 1996. July 27, 1996 Bette married Paul Eckman and they made their home at Lake Manuella. In retirement, Bette and Paul liked to travel and drove to many different states to visit family and friends. Bette had a green thumb and had beautiful terraced flower gardens on the property at Manuella. Her grandchildren remember how she liked to put a caterpillar in a jar with leaves and watch it make a cocoon and turn into a butterfly. Bette was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2010 and lived her last years in Memory Care in Silver Lake and Litchfield, MN. She is remembered there as a vibrant personality, a snazzy dresser and a good singer. The family wishes to thank the Cedar Lake and Bethany staff for the wonderful care they took of Bette. Bette is survived by her children Randy Leaf, Thomas Leaf (Bonita), Lori Leaf (Scott Lasee), her grandchildren Amelia Michelle, Crissy Raduenz ( Nic ), Cassandra Ann, Zachary Lasee, and Henry Leaf. She also has 5 beautiful great-grandchildren; James, Alex, Lillian, Elsie and Sawyer. She is also survived by sisters; Barbara, Emily, Eva and Patricia and brothers Robert and James. Bette was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Paul Eckman, her daughter Missy, and brothers David and Henry and by sisters Judy and Marian.Previous Events Visitation Thursday, May 26, 2016 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM First Presbyterian Church 225 N Holcombe Litchfield, MN 55355 Visitation Thursday, May 26, 2016 6:00 PM First Presbyterian Church 225 N Holcombe Litchfield, MN 55355