Obituary of Barbara Ann Eckhardt

Barbara Ann Eckhardt Oct. 23, 1925 – Aug. 26, 2014 Resident of Scotts Valley Born in Chico, CA to William and Cora Wielt, Barbara was raised and attended school there, graduating from Chico High School in 1943. On the 7th of December, 1941, Barbara and her high school sweetheart, Leland John Eckhardt, were together with friends at a movie matinee, when the projection was stopped and the audience was informed of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Lee left the theater and went directly to Sacramento and enlisted in the U.S. Navy. On his first leave home, Lee and Barbara were married. After the war, they raised their family in Redwood City, Ca. They later retired to Magalia, Ca. and spent winters in Apache Junction, near Mesa, Arizona. Barbara was a homemaker and the anchor of a nuclear family in which she was the only female. For thirty-five years, each school year was dominated by chores, and summers were dominated by camping and boating on Lake Shasta. She was an incredible knitter, and some of her sweaters are still in use today. Barbara enjoyed golfing, she started playing at age 50 and still played a steady game at 85. She also loved socializing with family and friends, traveling, going to plays with her daughter-in-law, dining out, or even just "doing whatever". Despite some difficult losses in her life, she was known by her grandchildren as, "The Conductor of the Stoke Train." That is her gift to us. Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Leland John Eckhardt; son Dennis Eckhardt of Twain Hart, CA and son Todd Eckhardt of Klamath Falls, OR. She is survived by her son Terry Eckhardt, daughter-in-law Cathleen Chandler-Eckhardt, four grandchildren, Leon, Summer Ann, Andrea, and Amelia, and great-grandson, Sequoia. A family memorial gathering will be held for Barbara. In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara's memory may be made to the Elkhorn Slough Foundation or Hospice of Santa Cruz. If you would like to send your condolences to Barbara's family or share a memory or photo please visit www.pacificgardenschapel.com