George C. Eckert

Mankato Mortuary
1001 N. Riverfront Drive
Mankato, MN  56001
(507) 388-2202


George Corcoran Eckert, age 85, of Mankato, died Sunday, June 12, 2016, at Water’s Edge Assisted Living.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, June 17, 2016, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Mankato, with Rev. John Kunz officiating.  Visitation will be 9 a.m. until the time of service at the church on Friday.  Burial will be at St. Willibrord Catholic Cemetery in Gibbon.  Mankato Mortuary handled the arrangements.

George was born March 3, 1931, in New Ulm to George T. and Catherine B. “Belle” (Corcoran) Eckert.  He was a 1949 graduate of Gibbon High School.  George completed one year of school at St. John’s University before entering the U.S. Air Force.  He served from 1951 until his honorable discharge in 1955.  George then attended Mankato State College, where he completed his undergraduate and received his Masters of Education Degree in 1959.  He was united in marriage to Eleanore Gust on August 23, 1958, in Ironwood, MI.  Though they divorced, they reestablished a friendship.

George started his career at St. Clair High School as a history teacher and forever held his passion for history.  He then became a guidance counselor at Mankato High School and later at Mankato East High School.  He retired in 1992.  George was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and the VFW.  He always treasured the duty and purpose of American service members.  George enjoyed spending time with his kids, farming, traveling, spending time in his workshop, gardening, skiing, and cars.  In his later years he enjoyed spending time with his close friend, Marion Kiecker.

George is survived by his four children, Diane (John) Beiswanger of Rochester, Marie (Jerome) Wunsch of Sleepy Eye, Daniel (Annette) Eckert of Spirit Lake, IA, and Michelle (Jamie) Langer of Waconia; nine grandchildren and three step-grandchildren; one great-grandchild and six step-great-grandchildren; one sister, Mary Ludowese of Hutchinson; one brother, Joseph (Elaine) Eckert of Mankato; one sister-in-law, Joan Eckert of Gibbon; former wife and friend, Eleanore Eckert of Mankato; also nieces, nephews, other family and friends.