Margot Eckes

October 22, 1941 - July 18, 2019

Margot Eckes, age 77, passed away on June 18, 2019, at Banner Dell Web Hospital in Surprise, Arizona. Rite of Committal will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, July 27, 2019, at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery in Beach, North Dakota with Deacon Don Nistler officiating. Silha Funeral Home of Beach has been entrusted with the arrangements. Margot was born October 22, 1941, in Dickinson, North Dakota, the daughter of William L. Eckes and Donna H. (Knudson) Eckes. Margot was the second oldest of seven children. She grew up in Beach and graduated from Beach High School with the class of 1959. Margot attended the Rapid City School of Business and received a Bachelor’s Degree from Dickinson State University. Margot held a Master’s Degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado with a specialty in the areas of Learning Disabilities and Emotionally Disturbed. She taught Elementary Education throughout the USA including Tillamook, Oregon (1963-1965); Grants Pass, Oregon (1965-1966); Bullhead, South Dakota (1966); was the Principal of Oglala Sioux Elementary in Glendive, Montana (1967-1968) and Modesto, California (1968-1969). Margot also taught for the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) educating students across the world including Elementary Ed. in Goppingen, Germany (1969-1971); Elementary Ed. in Naha and Kadena, Okinawa (1971-1973); Elementary & Special Ed. in Aviano, Italy (1974-1981); Elementary & Special Ed. in Keflavík, Iceland (1981-1985) and Middle School Special Ed. in Lakenheath, England (1985-1999). In 1998, Margot began building her home in Surprise and retired in 1999. In 2000, she returned to Beach to care for her mother until her death in 2006. Margot continued her travels visiting India, Afghanistan, Nepal, Hong Kong, Saur Insula (near Borneo), Malaysia, Singapore, Peru and China. She learned to scuba dive in Okinawa and skied in Japan and the Swiss Alps. She loved to fish and was an avid Bridge & Pinochle player. Her passions were teaching and spending time with her family and friends. Margot was preceded in death by her parents, William L. Eckes and Donna H. Eckes; her sister, Karlin (Tiny) Reetz; her brother’s, William C. Eckes and John K. Eckes (Jack); her sister-in-law, Kathleen Eckes (Maus); her nieces, Lisa A. and Laura M. Tibor and her nephew, Andrew W. Tibor. Margot is survived by her sisters, Bridget Schmidt (Leland) and Jeannie Leenhouts (Bert); her brother, Robert L. Eckes (Patty); her brother-in-law, Lorado Reetz; her sister-in-law, Pat Eckes; her nieces and nephews, Diane Wood, Lana Sobrilsky (Chris), Lori Reetz, Robin Mosley, Bobby Reetz (Sharon), Marty Hanten (Ty), Kristi Eckes, Bill Eckes (Mel), Greg Eckes (Natalie), John Eckes and Nichole Eckes. She is also survived by seventeen great nieces and nephews, who were all special to her and many lifelong friends. Margot was a woman of integrity, kindness, and generosity who donated to many causes. She was a founding member of the Colonnade Scholarship Fund. In lieu of flowers, the family of Margot Eckes requests that tax-deductible donations be given in her name to The Colonnade Scholarship Fund. These forms may be picked up at Silha Funeral Home: 125 4th Avenue SW. Please refer any other donations for Margot to the upkeep of the St. John’s Catholic Cemetery and/or Masses in Beach. Cards may be mailed to : Bridget Schmidt, 1510 S Campbell Trail, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57106. Margot will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Everyone is welcome to attend the luncheon at the American Legion following services. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.