Wilma L. Eckert

Wilma Louise (Albrektson) Eckert, 91, of Laurel, Nebraska passed away on October 9, 2019 at Hillcrest Care Center in Laurel. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 14, 2019 at Laurel United Methodist Church; with Pastor Isaac Chua officiating. Burial will be in the Concord-Dixon Cemetery in Concord. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 13, 2019 at the Laurel United Methodist Church with a prayer service starting at 6:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the family for future designation. Arrangements are under the direction of Bressler-Munderloh-Smith Funeral Home in Wakefield.

Wilma was born on August 11, 1928 at Bancroft, NE to Gunnar and Agnes (Ockander) Albrektson. She attended and graduated from Wakefield High in 1946. She continued her education at Wayne State Teachers College and received a Teaching Certificate. She taught country school in both Wayne and Thurston Counties. On July 21, 1948 Wilma married Earl J. Eckert at the Presbyterian Parsonage in Wakefield. They were married 69 years before Earl’s passing. Wilma was a farmer’s wife and worked right along-side of Earl involved in row crops and livestock. To this union the couple had two daughters, Marilyn and Anita.

Wilma was very proud of her Swedish heritage. Her father was an immigrant from Sweden and died when Wilma was just 5 years old. Wilma’s maternal grandparents were Swedish immigrants also. Wilma hosted several family members from Sweden and taught them a little about the Midwest every visit. Wilma and Earl were able to travel to Sweden for Christmas in 1974. Wilma was able to meet her fathers, siblings and cousins and see where her father grew up. Even with a language barrier, Wilma was over-joyed to meet her father’s family. Wilma passed her proud Swedish heritage on to her family and had the opportunity to make several trips with daughters and grand daughters back to Sweden to introduce them to her family. Wilma made sure every Christmas was filled with Swedish traditions.

Wilma was active in the community for many years through the Dixon United Methodist Church until its closing. She belonged to the Dixon United Methodist Women. She was a member of the Laurel United Methodist Church. She was a member and past-president of the Concord-Dixon Cemetery Association. Wilma was active in the youth 4-H program and was a 4-H leader and superintendent for Dixon County.

Wilma enjoyed collecting antique glass, especially her glass shoes. She enjoyed researching family history. She belonged to the Nebraska IH Chapter 12 which she enjoyed displaying the antique crawlers in the past with Earl. Through the years she enjoyed bowling and belonged to the neighborhood Best Ever Club. Wilma and Earl loved to visit neighbors and play good game of cards with friends and family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren watching them grow. Wilma had 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Wilma is survived by her daughters, Marilyn (David) Abts of Laurel, NE, and Anita Eckert of, Laurel, NE; sister-in-law, Norma Penlerick of Wayne, NE; 5 grandchildren, Angela Abts, Eric (Christy) Abts, Julie (Nick) Kvols, Jacob Fleischmann and Joshua Fleischmann; 5 great-grandchildren, Carter Kvols, Carlie Kvols, Claire Kvols, Ross Abts and Chayce Abts.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, Gunnar and Agnes; husband, Earl; brother, Earl Dean Leonard; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law, Ronald (Wilma Jean) Penlerick, LeRoy Penlerick.