Thomas "Tom" Ecker

Thomas A. “Tom” Ecker, age 77 of Miltona and formerly of New Munich, died peacefully, surrounded by his family on Tuesday, August 22, 2023 at his home on Lake Miltona.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 26 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich with Rev. Daniel Walz officiating. Inurnment will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose and from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the church in New Munich.

Thomas Arthur Ecker was born August 4, 1946 in Melrose, Minnesota to Elmer and Veronica (Schrantz) Ecker. After graduating from Melrose High School, he entered the military, serving with the United States Navy. Tom returned home to New Munich to run the family business, Ecker Feed Service.  On August 14, 1971, he was united in marriage to Kathleen Funk at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Munich. Throughout the years, they raised their five amazing children. In 2012, Tom and Kathy retired to their dream home on Lake Miltona near Alexandria.

Tom enjoyed woodworking, fishing, sailing, cooking, and making memories with family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Kathy Ecker of Miltona; children, Heidi (Chris) Wrede of New Hope, Aaron (Lori) Ecker of Alexandria, Carl (Melissa) Ecker of Chanhassen, Gretta (Brian) Eder of Lake Elmo, and Megan (Dan) Stern of Portland, Oregon; 11 grandchildren, Logan Meyers, Emma, Owen, and Noah Ecker, Charlie and Nora Wrede, Georgia and Frankie Lou Ecker, Beatrice and Pearl Eder, and Scottie Stern; brothers and sisters, David Ecker of Melrose, Bill (Elaine) Ecker of Perham, Steve (Sue) Ecker of Long Prairie, Dianne (Craig) Smith of Miltona, and Laurie (Bill) Welz of Delano;

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Veronica Ecker.

Serving as urn bearer will be Logan Meyers. Serving as cross bearer will be Charlie Wrede and scripture bearer will be Emma Ecker.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be donated for cancer research and local oncology support.