Marilyn L. Eckstein

Marilyn Eckstein, age 88, passed away November 18th at Pondera

Nursing Home in Conrad with her daughter by her side. A funeral will be

held on November 23rd at 2 p.m. at the Pondera Valley Lutheran Church.

A private family burial will take place prior to the service.

Marilyn Riley was born November 5th, 1928 to Kenneth and Lola

(Petterson ) Riley in Conrad. She attended school in Pendroy and Conrad

and graduated from Conrad High School in 1946. She recently attended

her 71 st class reunion this summer and always looked forward to this

yearly event. Marilyn m arried Richard Eckstein in 1950 at the Pondera

Valley Lutheran Church. They owned Dick's Conoco in Conrad for many

years. Mom washed many windshields, checked oil, and pumped gas right

along with Dad. She was a member of the Pondera Valley Lutheran

Church, Sunday school teacher, Girl Scout leader, past President of

Soroptimist, and a member of Victory Chapter #86 Order of Eastern Star.

Marilyn enjoyed her yard, garden, and raised beautiful flowers. She was a

wonderful cook and made the best fried chicken. She also enjoyed her

traveling trips with her sister and best friend, Pat Banka. She never

missed a day of reading the Great Falls Tribune and completing the daily

crossword puzzle. Right up to her death, mom loved to knit, and made

many dishcloths for family and friends and donating them to the Pondera

Nursing Home for the yearly Christmas Bazaar. The day Mom entered the

Nursing Home 5 years ago she never looked back, she made it her home

and was an inspiration to all. She was an avid Bingo player, enjoyed

afternoon coffee with her friends " the gossip girls", the Surrey rides around

the countryside and trips to Shopko.

Survivors include daughter, Dawne (Dennis) Stokes, grandsons Wyatt

(Tracy) Stokes, Lance (Heather) Stokes, great grandkids Sydney, Riley,

Madalyne, Kale and Ella, sister Pat Banka, and numerous nieces and

nephews. Marilyn was extremely proud of her family.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her husband Richard, daughter Jeanne,

great-grandson Carson, sister Arlene Barrett, nephew Mike Banka, her

parents and numerous other relatives.

We would like to thank the staff, Dr. Taylor and David Arends,PA and Dr.

Johnson for the wonderful care Mom have received over these years.