David W. Eck, age 70, a resident of Elcho and Manitowoc, passed away on Friday, December 27, 2024 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital after a courageous 3-year battle with cancer.
David was born on March 30, 1954 in Manitowoc to the late Robert and Bernadine (Seidenberger) Eck. He graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1972. He attended Virginia Military Institute and then graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in May 1976 with a degree in Industrial Engineering.
On June 5, 1976, David married his high school sweetheart Lynn Scheunemann at First Lutheran Church in Manitowoc. David worked at the family business, Eck Industries, Inc., in Quality Control. In 1984, David became President of Consumers, Inc. and also Manitowoc Lifts. David was a longtime member of Branch River CC and was very active in the Elks Lodge No. 687 serving in numerous ranks and Exalted Ruler.
Throughout his life, he had a love for the simple joys of life – travel, cooking, gardening, making maple syrup, watching sports, fishing and quiet moments spent at the lake. His love for Up North Wisconsin started with a high school fishing club trip, nurtured through the years with annual family vacations to Lac Vieux Desert. David and Lynn later owned a cottage in Crandon on Lake Lucerne and ultimately David found his heaven on earth at their home on Post Lake in Elcho since 2014. Above all, David cherished the times spent with his family creating lasting memories and sharing moments of love, laughter and support. His family was his greatest joy and his legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.
Survivors include David’s wife of 48 years, Lynn; 2 children, Tyler (Stacey) Eck and Kristin (Tony) Maurer; 4 beautiful granddaughters, Olivia and Grace Eck of Manitowoc, and Annabelle and Adeline Maurer of Mequon; sister and brother-in-law, Sandra Eck Newman and Dr. Howard Klein, Bangor, PA; brother and sister-in-law, Philip and Cathy Eck, Maribel; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Roger and Anita Scheunemann, Rochester, WA, and Peter and Nancy Foster, Parrish, FL; also nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. David was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Bernadine Eck.
Throughout his illness, David displayed incredible strength and resilience, never losing his sense of humor and determination. He learned 21 years ago to live one day at a time.
The family will greet relatives and friends at the Harrigan Parkside Gathering Center, 620 N. Water St., in Manitowoc on Friday, January 17, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., followed by a time of remembrance at 4:30 p.m.. Burial of David’s cremated remains to be held at Evergreen Cemetery at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harriganparksidefuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers and in keeping with David’s generosity, we encourage memorials in his name to: Elcho Food Pantry, P.O. Box 404, Elcho, WI 54428.
