Mary Jo Eckerman, 88, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Society of Le Mars.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 25, 2020 at All Saints Parish – St. Joseph Catholic Church in Le Mars with Rev. Matthew Solyntjes officiating. There will be a rosary at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, January 25, 2020 at the church followed by visitation with the family present until service time. Burial will be at a later date at Calvary Cemetery in Sioux City, Iowa.  Arrangements are with Rexwinkel Funeral Home of Le Mars.  Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com .

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Arbor Day Foundation.

Mary Jo Ann Lockard was born in Le Mars, Iowa to Gordon and Lola (Jones) Lockard on October 8, 1931.  Their family lived in Le Mars, Iowa, Provo, Utah, North Hollywood, California, and South Hollywood, California all for a short time before settling in Early, Iowa.  Mary Jo graduated from Early High School and then attended Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. She graduated with a teaching degree and taught in Ida Grove, Iowa, and Sioux City.

Mary Jo was united in marriage to Sidney Eugene Eckerman on December 27, 1954 in Sioux City. They lived in Phoenix, Arizona until 1959 when they moved to Sioux City.  Sidney passed away on June 19, 2006 and Mary Jo then moved to Le Mars.

Mary Jo had several hobbies that included gardening, oil painting, and volunteering. She spent many years as a volunteer working with the handicapped and treasured every moment.  She was also a concerned environmentalist; she loved trees and was passionate about saving them.

Mary Jo is survived by her children: Rachelle (Scott) Gerkin of Jefferson, South Dakota, Sid (Chris) Eckerman of Bellevue, Nebraska, Todd Eckerman of Aurora, Colorado, and Rhonda Eckerman of Le Mars; grandchildren: Jaclyn (Aaron) Brees, Joseph (Mindy) Eckerman, Shane Gerkin, Steffanie Gerkin, and Jessica Eckerman; 4 great grandchildren; and other extended relatives.

Mary Jo is preceded in death by her parents and husband, Sidney.