Bertina Gesina Eckman

East Amana- Bertina Gesina Eckman, 86, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2015, at her home in East Amana surrounded by her family after a brief illness. Bertina was born March 31, 1929 on the family farm near Homestead, Iowa, daughter of John Henry and Johanna (Steinke) Trimpe. She graduated from Amana High School in 1946. Bertina was united in marriage to Richard Earnest Eckman on October 26, 1947 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. She had several jobs in her lifetime, most of which were taken to help support her family: she even delivered the Gazette when her son Joel went to college. However, her defining career if you asked her was Mom of Charles, Cynthia and Joel. Then, when she was promoted to Super Grandma of Nick, Guy, Kristin, Alicia and Jody, and Super Great Grandma of Connor, her life was completely full of joy.

Her other loves aside from family were her many friends, especially "Girls Club", playing (usually winning) at bridge, Christmas Cookie care packages and St. John's Lutheran Church. She was very active in the Lutheran Womens' Missionary League and the Ladies Aid.

She is survived by her children: Charles (Patricia) Eckman of Nampa, Idaho, Cynthia (Roger) Gelinas of New Gloucester, Maine and Joel (Judy) Eckman of Iowa City; five grandchildren: Nicholas, Alicia, Guy, Kristin and Jody; a great grandson: Connor; sister: Ruby (Lyle) Sherman of Middle Amana and a brother: Lloyd (Mary Ann) Trimpe of Marengo. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Richard in 2008, a brother George, sisters: Glenna, Roma, Alma and Mary Ann, and grandson Bruce.

Celebration of Life Service will be 10:30 am Friday, September 25, 2015 at the St. John Lutheran Church near Homestead. Pastor Terry Small will officiate. Burial will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 4:00 to 7:30 pm at the Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church or Camp Courageous