The family would like to share with you the obituary for our beloved mother, Fay Darlene Eckroth ("Darlene"), who passed away peacefully at the age of 84 on Monday, November 10, 2025, at Benton House in Raymore, Missouri.
Darlene was born on September 16, 1941, in San Fernando, California, to Norman and Fay Midget. She was later raised by her mother and stepfather, Jack Henry. She was one of three siblings, her older brother Darin (son of Norman and Fay Midget) and her younger brother Michael (son of Jack and Fay Henry).
She was married to Conrad Eckroth for 34 years, and together they raised four children—Conard "C.R.," Cherie, Robin, and Christopher "Chris"—in the San Fernando Valley area until the family moved to Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1979. Later in life, she met Art Hawkins, who became her best friend and partner.
Before moving to Kansas, Darlene worked on and off as a lab technician while raising her family. After relocating to Kansas to open a dairy farm with her husband, she took a temporary job to support the start-up, where she discovered her passion for nursing. This passion led her to pursue her LPN certification and begin a rewarding 36-year career at Easton Manor/Country Care in Easton, Kansas. Her dedication to the profession earned her the Nurse of the Year award for the State of Kansas. Even after retiring, she continued her commitment to nursing through volunteer work at Country Care and home nursing visits. While her children were young, Darlene enjoyed camping and vacations with family and friends, in addition to hosting themed parties. As an empty-nester, she developed a love for square dancing and playing penny slots at local casinos. Most of all, she cherished time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Darlene was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and great-granddaughter Charlotte Enevoldsen. She is survived by her four children: C.R. (Tina) Eckroth of Coupeville, WA; Cherie House of St. Joseph, MO; Robin (Bill)Hooper of Raymore, MO; and Chris (Bette) Eckroth of Mobridge, S.D.
She is also survived by 17 grandchildren: Amber (John) Laurence, Nicholas (Ashley) House, Kimberly (Jeremy) Sturges, Brian Eckroth, Melissa (Jeffrey) Enevoldsen, Heather (Jeff) Kelley, Kyle Hooper, Lauren (Chad) Baxter, Amanda Eckroth, Austin (Rayna) Schmidt, Brynn Hooper, Matthew Quinn, Ashley (Nathaniel) Pepper, Hilary House, Andrew Eckroth, Sierra (Greg Wooten) Eckroth, and Jordan (Tyler) Bohne.
Darlene leaves behind 35 great-grandchildren: Alison Robinson, Eric Cantrell, Faithann Zavadil, Keanna Baxter, Brennen McDonald, Hayden Kelley, Gavin House, Talea Eckroth, Ethan Kelley, Morgan McDonald, Sophia Schmidt, Sophia Sturges, Morgan Steele, Leo Hooper, Elijah House, Liam House, Annalise Baxter, Adam Pena, Hope Steele, Lincoln House, Logan Laurence, Jack Pepper, Sadie Schmidt, Kyle Sturges, Eliora House, Raegan Steele, Rory Enevoldsen, Athena Alexander, Nolan Baxter, Ada Enevoldsen, Avery Pepper, Hollis Eckroth, Forrest Bohne, Porter Enevoldsen, and Anthony Pepper. She is also survived by one great-great-grandchild, Anslee Zavadil.
The family extends its deepest gratitude to the caregivers at Benton House in Raymore, MO, for their kindness and dedicated support, and to the amazing team at Ascend Hospice for the palliative care provided over the last several months.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10:00 a.m., at St. Paul Lutheran Church at 311 N. 7th Street, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048. Reception following the service in the St. Paul Community Room. Internment is following the reception at the Easton Cemetery in Easton, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 311 N. 7th Street, Leavenworth, KS 66048, and/or Ascend Hospice, 783 NE Anderson Lane, Lee's Summit, MO 64064.
