My condolences for your family. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Mrs. Eckhardt will always be in my memory a beautiful, charming and complex woman. The first time I met her at her daughter Cathy's, over 30 years ago we took to each other right away. Cathy and Steve were two of our dearest friends how could her mother and father not have been the extraordinary people they were? My husband Jerry and I were able to enjoy the hospitality and warmth of the lake retreat in Rheinlander with her and dear husband Ritch-ed several times; and Richard would always be at the door waiting with a proffered Manhattan in his hand, the perfect host and Catherine would see to our every need. It is a wonderful setting to remember them both. Cathy would make the most fabulous champagne brunch to take on the boat Sunday mornings, and Catherine reigned beautifully over it all. I will miss knowing she is here, but I know she lives on through her daughters; and that she and her Valentine and daughter Barbara are now reunited heaven sings!

Catherine was a great lady. She and Richard raised a wonderful family. As we all know, education, learning, creativity, the lust to learn and be educated begins "at home." Catherine and Richard provided such a "home" for a very special and unique family. I feel proud and honored to have known and/or taught these children at City High School. Dale and her husband even ended up serving as guest speakers in my Humanities class.

Mrs. Eckhardt was a rare spirit among the mothers I grew up with in Iowa City--an exotic, outspoken lady of Russian descent among the more subdued, unaccented midwesterners. She sparkled with a stunning kind of elegance and a joie de vivre. I was in awe of her. Her beauty and sense of adventure lives on in her daughter Jane, one of my oldest and dearest friends. She will be missed.

Thank you Catherine for having a wonderful daughter Dale. She is the light of your spirit. Like so many other great women you are reflected in your daughter and their children. My you be reunited with your husband at your cottage in heaven

I remember Mrs. Eckhardt as very beautiful and sophisticated...I was in awe of her.