Norman J. Eckes, “Stormin’ Norman”, 99, Marshfield, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at Marshfield Medical Center.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 am on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, where the visitation will be from 8:00 am on Thursday until service time. The Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 8:00 am on Thursday at the church. Rev. Samuel Martin will officiate. Burial will take place in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, where military rites will be conducted by the American Legion Post 54. Serving as pallbearers will be Christopher Riedel, Mandy Benz, Stacy Thom, Jason Zellner, Keith LaSee, Brian LaSee, Stephanie Armstrong and Dave Zimmerman. Rembs Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Norman was born on May 19, 1919 in Marshfield, to Joseph Paul and Anna (Sautner) Eckes and was a graduate of McKinley High School. He married Genevieve C. “Jean” Binder on April 17, 1941 at St. John’s Catholic Church. She died on March 2, 1995.
Norman was a veteran of the United States Army 1st Infantry serving during World War II from June 24, 1944 until his honorable discharge on January 22, 1946. As a young man, Norman was employed at Weyerhaeuser, and then was one of the first 12 fulltime paid firefighters in the city of Marshfield. He later owned and operated a Texaco Service Station and then a Skelly Service Station. He also worked for V & H Automotive and then was a driver for the Marshfield Clinic Lab. After his retirement he volunteered at St. Joseph’s Hospital, delivered Meals on Wheels and helped at Atrium Nursing Home.
He had a very devout faith and was a Mass server at St. John the Baptist Church where he also ushered on Sundays. He unlocked the church daily and drove parishioners to Mass who were unable to get to church and back on Sundays. He managed St. Vincent De Paul Center and was an Honorary Life member of the Knights of Columbus John Eisen Council #1799. He also was a member of the Elks Lodge #665 of Marshfield.
He was a great dad and taught his children to care about people, the importance of faith in their lives and to help those who needed our help. He was proud of his children and bragged about them and his grandchildren to anybody who would listen. Norm is survived by his children, Lana LaSee, Sandra Eckes, Paulette (Neil) Riedel, all of Marshfield, Deborah Folz of Marshfield and Todd (Donna) Eckes of Vesper, and a daughter-in-law, Elaine Eckes of Rice Lake. He is also survived by grandchildren, Keith LaSee, Brian LaSee, Michele (Dan) Benz, Nathaniel (Erin) Riedel, Christopher (Katie) Riedel, Stacy Thom (Brandon) Stephanie Armstrong, Samantha (Dave) Zimmerman, Jacqueline (Jason) Zellner and Krystin Eckes. He is further survived by 6 great granddaughters, 2 great grandsons and 1 great great granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Genevieve, a son, Larry, a son-in-law, Dale Folz and a brother, Art Eckes.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be designated to the American Cancer Society or St. John the Baptist Parish. Condolences may be sent online to www.rembsfh.com
