Copeland - Edna Hiebert Eck was born to Frank and Agnes (Hoeppner) Hiebert, on January 23, 1917, near Hillsboro. She passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on July 19, 2013 at the Satanta Hospital Long Term Care Home in Satanta.

Edna was the second child in a family of six. She grew up and received her education in
Hillsboro, where she married John Eck on April 23, l939. They were married for 61 years until his death in 2000. They spent most of their life together on the family farm near Copeland, where they raised 15 children and eventually entertained their 60 grandchildren.

Edna was known for her hospitality, welcoming any and all to her home and table. She loved nature and farm life. Many families have enjoyed the beautiful silver Persian cats she raised, her menagerie of poultry and peacocks, and the speckled eggs she supplied to her customers. For years she welcomed busloads of kindergarteners from the Sublette school, who enjoyed her diverse collection of animals. Edna also loved gardening and cooking. Pink and red hollyhocks welcomed her family near the front door, and the dinner bell was never silent for long. The fresh herbs she grew enhanced her outstanding meals, and on holidays her family looked forward to her signature apple pie and fresh baked bread. In later years, she enjoyed quiet hours reading her extensive collection of inspirational literature with a cat in her lap. Spirituality was an essential part of her life, and her faith gave her strength through the struggles and joys of her 96 years. Her grandchildren were a special joy, and she cherished their visits. She will be missed deeply and remembered longest as grandma Eck.

Edna is survived by thirteen children: Judith (Boyd) Sigafoose, Century, Florida; Evalena (Galen) Litwiller, Middleton, Michigan; Bonnie (Jerry) Haynes, Middleton, Michigan; John Harold (Latayne)Eck, Century, Florida; Barbara Unruh, Olalla, Washington; Jeanette (Milton) Koehn, Wellington, Colorado; Carol (Douglas) Seiler, Carson City, Michigan; Anita (Edward) Haynes, Middleton, Michigan; Steven (Leonida) Eck, Garden City; Helen Redding, Cookeville, Tennessee; Charles (Bethany) Eck, Hilmar, California; Margaret "Mitzi" (Paul) Dykast, Lebanon, Oregon; and Ernest (Patricia Karlin)Eck, Lawrence; one sister, Frieda Litwiller, Montezuma; two sisters-in-law, Esther Ratzlaff, Winton, California, and Rozella Eck, Livingston, California; two brothers-in-law, Jona (Diana) Nikkel, Greenville, North Carolina, and Robert (Betty) Martens, Inman; 60 grandchildren, 117 great grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her husband John, two children. Leonard Eck and Kathleen Elliot, two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, her parents, two brothers and two sisters.

Funeral service will be held at Sublette Christian Church, Sublette on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at 10:30 AM with Minister Stuart Jantzen and Pastor Jonathon Galia presiding. Burial will be at 2:00 PM Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Garden City. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel of Sublette on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 from noon to 8:00 PM with the family receiving friends from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to donor's choice in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.