Alice M. Eckmann, age 86, of Cavour, passed away on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at Prairie View Healthcare Center in Woonsocket. Her memorial service will be at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at Welter Funeral Home in Huron.

Alice Mae Eckmann was born in Huron on November 12, 1935. She was the first child born to Michael Waldner and Winnefred Bowder. When Alice started the second grade, her parents moved to Richmon, California to work in the Kaiser Ship Yards. Alice stayed with her grandparents and joined her parents later. After World War II, she and her parents moved back to Huron. Alice graduated from Huron High School in 1955, she played the violin and the bass violin in the school orchestra. She later attended Huron College.

Alice married Melvin Magnus Eckmann on June 15, 1955 in the American Lutheran Church where she and her husband were baptized as infants, confirmed and were members of the church. After marriage, Alice and Melvin resided on the farm south of Cavour. To this union, one son was born, Dennis Michael on March 10, 1960.

Alice began work as a homemaker and helped with all the farm chores—like all farm wives do. Alice was the top salesperson for North Western House Wares in Huron. Later she worked for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and was honored in Fargo as the top sales person in her district. Alice also did Home Healthcare. She always said, she learned so much from her elder people. Her policy was if her patient was not able to go out to visit with their friends, Alice brought their friends in for birthdays, anniversaries, clubs, friends and church get-togethers. She had fancy teas and dinners. Alice was a good cook—her pastries were a fun time, and a great delight for those who attended.

Alice made wedding cakes for several weddings and gave it as her gift for the bride and groom. Alice was able to express her artistic side. She took a course in stained glass at college and later she took private lessons on China painting, entering her pieces at the State Fair where she won the top ribbon in her category—her China painting was sent to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to the World Organization of China Painters for one year on display.

Alice loved to sew and she designed and made several beautiful garments. Some people still remember her red cape with the Alaskan white fox trim; and emerald green formal and jacket and the beautiful rose-pink dress she wore to her son's wedding. Alice also made a spectacular sparkling tuxedo for her son's senior prom. Alice liked to crochet and made several fancy doilies; she liked to embroider and do Norwegian needle work (harsdanger).

She loved to go fishing and fly kites. She loved the early morning to hear the birds chirp their songs and the South Dakota sunsets when the fireflies came out to play, and the family of owls in the tree grove with their soft hoot. Alice always felt people who lived in town missed so much beauty. It was a pleasant joy to Alice when she watched the young calves and the baby lambs play king of the mountain.

Alice loved to garden—she and Melvin had a large one. She loved to can the produce from the garden in her conservo canner. She also canned chickens, beef, and pork. Many times, she would say "all the food on the table was grown on the farm except for the Schwann's ice cream for dessert!"

Both Alice and Melvin loved to go ballroom and square dancing—they belonged to several dance clubs. They also played dice with family members, especially Mel's 104 year old aunt. Alice was grateful for the wonderful care her son gave her and caregivers granddaughter Leslie and neighbor Charleen.

Alice's memory will be cherished by her son Dennis and granddaughter Leslie (Melissa) Wolff; four great-grandkids, Peyton Schock, Morgan, Cole and Haley Wolff; two sisters, Helen Husen of Sioux Falls and Jean Iverson of Colorado; two nephews John of Sioux Falls and Steven of Colorado and two nieces, Cynthia of Sioux Falls and Joyce Ann of Colorado.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents and loving husband of 57 years; two brothers-in-law, Everett Heesen and Dale Iverson.