Obituary of E. Jean Eckhoff

E. Jean Eckhoff, 82, of Coralville, passed away Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in the comfort of her home. A time of visitation will be held from 3-4 p.m., Saturday, March 11th at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, where a memorial service will begin at 4 p.m. Memorials in Jean’s name may be directed to Iowa City Hospice or the Jean Eckhoff Memorial Fund. Memories and online condolences may be shared with her family at www.gayandciha.com. Jean was born June 9, 1934 in Coralville, Iowa; daughter of E. Virgil and Irene F. (Vogel) Bowers. Jean spent her early childhood in Coralville, and a few years in the early 50’s in Milwaukee, WI, moving back to Coralville in 1954 until moving to North Liberty in 1977. Jean married Reginald Eckhoff on July 20, 1967, in Casper, WY; Reginald passed away in June of 2004. While in North Liberty, they owned Whinnee Acres where they raised and boarded horses for forty years. She was a member of the Iowa Quarter Horse Racing Association, American Quarter Horse Racing Association, Women’s’ Iowa Bowling Association, Girl Scouts of America, Coralville Women’s American Legion Auxiliary and served as secretary and treasurer of many bowling leagues. Jean’s family includes her son, Mark Brown (Rea Bayyat) of Coralville; sister, Shirley Bowers of Florida; brothers, James Bowers (Mary) of DeKalb, IL and Larry Bowers (Renee) of California; Reggie’s children, Rick Eckhoff (Deb) of Iowa City, Barb Bryant (Bob) of Coralville and Di Jarrard (Rick) of Smith Mountain Lake, VA; grandchildren, Marni Brown (Greg Carlson), Ryan Eckhoff (Melissa), Mark and Megan Eckhoff, Tammie Ruth (Joe), Chad Bryant, Travis Jarrard (Kate), Tawyna Doss (John) and Cody Jarrard (Michele); Nieces and nephews, Michael Richmond, Chloe Sotomire (Michael), Janet Johnson, Jeff Bowers (Kate), and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Jean was proceeded in death by her parents, husband, Reggie Eckhoff and nephew, Pat Richmond. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Jean’s family and her services.