Bennie F----- Eckers(3) (Ben), born July 12, 1900 in ------, Meeker County, Minnesota, the son of John C----- Eckers and Minnie (Kunde) Eckers(2). His name has also been recorded as Bernhard.

Bennie was a veteran of World War I.

In 1920 he was living with his parents on Minnetonka Avenue, St. Louis Park, Hennepin County, Minnesota. He was employed as a machinist in the agricultural implement industry at that time.

Bennie married, about 1923 in ------, Grace Edith ------. She was born May 29, 1903 in ------, Minnesota, the daughter of ------ ------ and ------ (Bourseau) ------.

Children:

  1. Richard Eckers, born about 1925 in ------, Minnesota.
In 1930 Bennie, Grace and Richard were living in a house at 2900 Ramona Avenue, St. Louis Park, Hennepin County, Minnesota. The house, which Bennie owned, was valued at $4,200. Bennie’s occupation was given as carpenter in the industry of house construction. Richard was attending school.

In 1934 Ben F. Eckers, described as a builder located at 2900 Alabama Avenue, capitalized on the new U.S. Housing Act of that year by advertising in the 1934-35 directory: Modernize your home! Take advantage of the Government’s Easy Credit Facilities – the Act is designed to stimulate $1,500,000,000 in New Home Construction, Modernization and Repairing.

Bennie F. Eckers was working for the Post Office in Minneapolis in 1936 and 1937. In the former year his occupation was given as carrier, and in the latter as rural carrier.

Grace is known to have attended the funeral of Ben's uncle August Kunde (probably between 1930 and 1968), along with Ben's sisters Louise and Minnie.

Bennie's and Grace's Social Security cards were both issued in Minnesota.

In 1976 Ben and Grace Eckers lived at 3127 Zarthan, St. Louis Park, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Bennie’s last residence was Minneapolis, MN, 55416.

Bennie Eckers died Sunday, January 18, 1976, aged 75, in —, Hennepin County, Minnesota. He was survived by his wife, his two sisters, his brother Robert, and nieces and nephews. Visitation was after 5:00 P.M. Tuesday, January 20, 1976 at Pillman’s Park Chapel, 3960 Wooddale, with a Paul Revere Masonic memorial service following at 8:00 P.M. Services were at 1:30 P.M., Wednesday, January 21, 1976 at First Lutheran Church, 5801 Minnetonka Boulevard. Interment was at Grandview Park Cemetery in Hopkins, Minnesota.

Grace E. Eckers was of St. Louis Park in 1992. Her last residence was Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, 55431. Grace Eckers died November 9, 1992, aged 84, in —, Hennepin County, Minnesota. She was survived by her two sisters-in-law and brother-in-law Robert Eckers and many nieces and nephews. Services were at 1:30 P.M. Thursday, November 12, 1992 at the Washburn-McReavy Strobeck Johnson Chapel, 1400 Mainstreet, Hopkins. Friends were invited to call at the chapel one hour before the service. Memorials were directed to First Lutheran Church, 5801 Minnetonka Boulevard, St. Louis Park. Interment was at Grandview Park Cemetery in Hopkins.

From May 24, 2005 revision.
Posted Aug. 28, 2003.
Updated Apr. 2, Sep. 13, 17, 2004, Mar. 9, May 24, Oct. 5, 2005.