Roselind Gay Nell Eckert, 87, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2016.  Roselind (Rose) was born in Belle Plaine, Iowa on August 8, 1928, the daughter of Lawrence Hines and Marian Wilson Hines.

Rose graduated from Austin (MN) High School in 1946.  She went on to study Home Economics at Iowa State University (called Iowa State College then) in Ames, Iowa.  It was there that she met her future husband Edwin Ora Eckert.  Rose and Ed were united in marriage on September 1, 1948 in Chula Vista, CA at Chapel of the Roses.  After Ed’s graduation they moved to La Crosse, where Rose worked at the La Crosse Tribune as a proofreader.  Shortly after, Rose and Ed moved to Winona, MN where Ed opened an architecture business.

Family and home were clearly always Rose’s first priorities.  She was a great cook, meticulous homemaker, and a devoted wife and mother.  In addition, Rose loved animals and recreating in the outdoors, and has always been a voracious reader.  Rose and Ed raised their family in Winona until moving back to La Crosse in 1970.

Back in La Crosse, Rose worked at the Lutheran Hospital in the Coronary Care Unit as both a Ward Clerk and Medical Records Clerk.  Rose volunteered at the Coulee Region Humane Society and was one of the pioneers in Pet Therapy.  She also was an AARP peer counselor, and volunteered at the VA hospital in Tomah, WI.

She was preceded in death by her brother Richard who died in combat during World War II, her parents,  son Erik, husband Ed (1990), and former classmate and special friend in later years, Jerry Hoilien of Harpers Ferry, Iowa.

Rose is survived by her brother Terry Hines, cousin Beth Humiston, daughters Janika Eckert (husband Rob Johnston), Kristin Schultz, and three grandchildren Nathan Schultz (wife Kara), Jesse Eckert, and Angela Sanders (husband Scott), in addition to her great grandchildren Nicole, Rylee, Mariah, Brandon, Madison, Sidney and Audrey.  Rose was a bright spot in all our lives and will be greatly missed for her love of life and strong spirit.

At Rose’s request, she will be cremated and there will be no formal memorial service.  Donations in her name can be made to the Coulee Region Humane Society, 911 Critter Court, Onalaska, WI 54650 (608-781-4041.)

The family of the late Roselind Eckert wishes to express their deep appreciation to the entire staff of Bethany Riverside and The Willows for their loving care of Rose and for offering such kindness, support, sympathy and comfort to Rose and her family during her residence and during our time of great sorrow.