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March 31, 1934 – February 2, 2025
Arlette ‘Lee’ Eckman, born March 31, 1934, in Bangor, WI, peacefully passed away on February 2, 2025, at the age of 90, at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids.
‘Lee’ was the fourth daughter of Emmett Frank Meyer and Ella Serena Neperud. After her father’s passing when she was only 13, her mother, Ella, worked as a seamstress to support her four daughters, instilling in them a deep sense of strength, resilience, and compassion—values that Lee carried throughout her life. Inspired by her older sister, Donna, Lee pursued a career in nursing, earning her degree from the Kahler School of Nursing in Rochester, MN, before furthering her education at the University of Minnesota. There, she met her first husband and would later move to Inver Grove Heights and raise their 5 children.
Lee enjoyed an impressive and varied career in nursing. She worked in the ER, delivered 32 babies, and served as an industrial nurse at the Post Office and Toro, where she earned her OSHA certification. As she neared retirement, Lee embraced adventure as a cruise ship nurse and doctor’s assistant, later returning to Minnesota to work in home health care. She also spent many summers volunteering as a camp nurse alongside her children and grandchildren.
Lee’s faith was unwavering—she loved the Lord with all her heart and devoted her life to sharing the Gospel. Her enthusiasm for Christ touched the lives of many, leading them to follow Him as she did. For over 16 years, she gave heartfelt sermons at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home and made annual trips to Bible Camp with her sister. They also walked the Holy Lands together. A lifelong traveler, Lee’s love for adventure took her around the world as the beloved “traveling Grandma,” often visiting family by plane, train, bus, or her trusty smart car.
A fiercely independent woman, Lee lived in her Inver Grove Heights home for over 50 years, a place she cherished. Known for her vibrant spirit, Lee was an entertainer at heart—sharing stories, telling jokes, and even performing with puppets. Her creativity knew no bounds—whether crafting, sewing, knitting, crocheting, cross-stitching, painting, or rosemaling, she always had a project in the works. She filled her cherished home with books, tapes, and cassettes, ever eager to learn something new. Lee was also known for her baking, especially her famous “million-dollar” fudge, which she shared generously with loved ones.
Above all, Lee treasured her family. Affectionately called “Grandma Lee” by her 30 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and many more, she was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her love for her family extended beyond bloodlines, as she deeply connected with her church family, her sisters’ families, and her many close friends. She was known for never forgetting birthdays or special events, always arriving with thoughtful gifts—her love language.
She had two happy places in life: her church and the hospital. She spent countless hours there, both as a dedicated nurse and a patient herself, undergoing 39 operations over the years. It is only fitting that she passed away peacefully, with a nurse holding her hand, in the very place she had so often found comfort.
Lee was preceded in death by her parents, Emmett and Ella Meyer, and her three sisters: Virginia Twite, Donna Wussow, and Marlene Lake. She is survived by her children, Debra (Michael) Hansen, James (Rene) Schwartz, Judith (Jeb) Clarin, Thomas Schwartz, and Andrea Gunderman, along with over 50 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Lee’s legacy of love, laughter, and devotion will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Funeral Service 11:00AM Saturday, February 15th, at Roberts Funeral Home, 8108 Barbara Ave, Inver Grove Heights, MN. Visitation 10:00AM – 11:00AM prior to the service. 1:00PM Interment at Acacia Park Cemetery, Mendota Heights, MN. Luncheon to follow.