Fidelis John Eckes Posted on September 25, 2016 in Obituaries Fidelis John Eckes Fidelis John Eckes, age 102 of Minnetonka, longtime resident of Plymouth and Hamel, MN. Born in Plymouth, Minnesota, March 5, 1914, to Philip and Gertrude (Striebel) Eckes. Died on August 15, 2016 surrounded by loving family in his Minnetonka home. Fidelis was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Loretta (Etzel), his brother, Mark (Myrtle Schiebe), his sisters, Marian (Jim LaVigne) and Geraldine (Joe Hannon) and his son-in-law, William Leck. Survived by his eight children; Sister Lois OSB, SOTN ’89, Laura (Tom) O’Rourke, Lucia Leck, Daniel ’68 (Gretchen), Jane EckesEtzel, Joan Elliott, Joyce Eckes (Eric Michelsen) and Ralph (Julie), eleven grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Jean (Fred) Hall and his second wife, Myrtle (Hughes) Nielsen and was a surrogate grandfather to her ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Fidelis sustained a deep love and devotion for his Catholic faith and served as a Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus. In his long, noble life, he worked as a farmer, milk hauler, gardener, bus driver and was a faithful employee at Reese and Busch Greenhouses. He loved playing cards, enjoyed music, dancing, singing, poetry, traveling and deeply valued education. He had a special love for animals and was attuned to the rhythm of the seasons. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, 155 County Rd. 24 Medina, MN 55391. A Vigil Service will be held at the church before the Funeral Mass from 9:00 – 10:30. The Visitation will begin with the Rosary led by the Knights of Columbus. A private burial service will be held at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Hamel at a later date. The family deeply appreciates memorials to one of the following: 1) Sharing and Caring Hands, 525 N. 7th St. Minneapolis, MN 55405 2) Helping Paws Inc. P.O. Box 634, Hopkins, MN 55343 3) North Memorial Hospice, 3500 France Ave. N. #101, Robbinsdale, MN 55422 Our family extends heartfelt gratitude for the competent and loving care given to our father and family by North Memorial Hospice Staff.
