Maxine M. Eckes

Maxine “Mickey” Mae Eckes, 84 of Devils Lake, ND passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, May 9, 2016. Funeral services for Mickey will be held Friday, May 13, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Living Word Free Lutheran Church, Edmore, ND, with Reverend Craig Wentzel and Reverend Gary Fulsebakke officiating. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday, May 12th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Sharing at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Burial will be in the Edmore Cemetery. Mickey was born October 29, 1931, in Fargo, ND, to Bernice Ludtke who raised her, along with her stepfathers Orlin Gruber and Chris Ludtke. She grew up and was educated in Lakota, ND, graduating from Lakota High School with the class of 1949. After working for one year as a telephone operator, she went to Jamestown College for one year. On October 21, 1951 she married Donald Eckes of Derrick, ND. Shortly after they were married, Don was drafted into the Marines. They moved to California where they lived for two years. After receiving his discharge, they moved back to North Dakota and farmed near Derrick, where they raised their 7 children. Donald passed away on January 18, 1985 and Mickey remained on the farm she loved, until moving to Devils Lake in 2012. Mickey is survived by her children: Cheri (Orlin) Schanz, Langdon, ND, Vickie Hultstrand, Bismarck, ND, Kathy (Dean) Stienkeoway, Devils Lake, ND, Terry (Audrey) Eckes, Fargo, ND, Tracy (Hilda) Eckes, Denver CO, Steve (Carol) Eckes, Devils Lake, ND and Michael (Stephanie) Eckes, Langdon, ND; sixteen grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother Bernice Ludtke and her step fathers. Casket Bearers for Mickey will be her grandsons Scotty Breckenridge, Jon Breckenridge, Olnick Hultstrand, Zach Hultstrand, Derrick Hassett, Christopher Paulson, Michael Paulson and Joe Eckes. Music will be provided by Charles Damschen, Pastor Gary Fulsebakke and High Plains Trio.