Montezuma - My sister and aunt, Elizabeth Eck was born on July 10, 1924 in Hickok, to Joseph and Mary (Schmidt) Eck. She quietly slipped away January 29, 2017 at Bethel Home in Montezuma, reaching the age of 92 years.

She grew up at Hickok and later and Ringwood, Oklahoma. She started to work at a very young age to help her parents. When she decided to go into nurses training, she first needed to get her diploma for 8th grade. She earned her way through R.N. training at the Halstead Hospital Nursing Program doing many jobs to earn a little money.

Elizabeth felt the call of the Lord to repentance, being baptized on April 12, 1939 by Minister Frank Haines in Fairview, Oklahoma.

Elizabeth lived with her parents at different places in Oklahoma until August of 1949 when they moved to Montezuma. She was a dedicated nurse all of her life, working 50 years in the profession. Elizabeth worked at St. Joseph's in Wichita, Trinity Hospital, St. Anthony, and Western Plains Hospital all in Dodge City. Later in life, she took care of her parents and her sister, Susie. She also painted on plates and cups. We remember her as very strict in her nursing but compassionate with her patients. We all loved her and enjoyed being with her. It was a real privilege being invited to her house.

In 2011, she moved to Bethel Home, reconsecrating her life and was faithful to the end.

Those cherishing her memory are her sister, Kathryn (Katie) Schmidt of Montezuma and her sons Don Schmidt of Garden City, Gary Schmidt and wife, Brenda of Cripple Creek, Colorado, and Terry Schmidt of Cripple Creek, Colorado; and many other nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Henry Eck and three sisters, Susie Engle, Leona Nusz, and Eva Nightengale.

Funeral service will be held at Montezuma Mennonite Church on Wednesday February 1, 2017 at 10:30 AM with Ministers Donald Koehn, Edwin Classen, and Richard Koehn presiding. Burial will follow at Montezuma Mennonite Cemetery. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Tuesday January 31, 2017 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Memorials are suggested to the family in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.