ECKERMAN: John Theodore Eckerman was born Oct 10, 1923 at Frankfurt on da Oder, Germany and passed away peacefully at Battlefords Union Hospital on Feb 16th, 2014. John leaves to mourn his wife Nettie. Four children - Ruben (Joan) Eckerman and family: Pat and wife Sharon Eckerman (Keri, Meghan-Nicole, Lewis, Daniel, Johnathan and Erick), Susan and husband Trevor Curry (Isaac and Ethan); Bernard (Sheila) Eckerman and family: Kim and husband Chuck Lytle (Calista, Hannah), Heather and husband Ted Turchyn (Teegan, Tyronne); Carol (Bob) Kostiuk and family: Jonathan and fiancée Amanda Schinold, Christina and husband Tyler Guillemin (Espen), Karyn; Mary Jean (Henri) Blaquiere and family: Beth and husband Ian Sabraw (Macie, Drew), Denis and wife Megan (Emma, Noah), Jeff, Chris and wife Jen; his brothers: Philip, Peter, Eugene, and Ernie Eckerman; sisters: Marie Pulver, Theresa McCrea, Isabel Leibel. He is predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Molly Eckerman on Dec. 8, 2000; parents John and Margaret Eckerman; parents in law Peter and Amelia Degenhardt; daughter-in-law Jeanne Eckerman; brother Bill Eckerman; sister Cecilia Gabruck and in laws; Martha Eckerman, Bill Gabruck, Bill Petrunia and Lloyd Pulver. John was the oldest of ten siblings. He was married to Molly Degenhardt on Oct 26th, 1944 at Goodsoil, SK. They farmed at Goodsoil, SK; he worked for the CNR at Prince Rupert, Terrace B.C., North Battleford and Humboldt. He also worked for the Co-op lumber yard, as a caretaker for St. Joseph school and built houses for Boychuck, as well as several for his family. John retired from the CNR at 65 to enjoy the cabin as well as travelling and square dancing with their good friends Louis and Shirley Leite. John was also a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to the Doctors and staff at North Battleford Union Hospital for all the great care he received throughout the last few months. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, February 20 from Notre Dame de Lourdes Roman Catholic Church with Reverend Father Gerard Legaspi as celebrant. Interment took place at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please give a gift to the charity of your choice. Condolences for the family may be left at The family has placed their trust with Kristeen Thiessen of Sallows & McDonald - Wilson and Zehner Funeral Home. (306) 445-2418
