Everett "Ev" E. Eckstein's Obituary
Everett “Ev” Eckstein
His Lord said unto him, “Well done my good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things; enter into the joy of your Lord.”
Everett Edwin Eckstein, a long-time resident of Waushara County, went to be with his Lord on August 25, 2025. Everett, son of Lewis H.C. Eckstein and Patricia Jane (Ray) Eckstein, was born September 14, 1942 in Neenah, WI. He grew up on the family farm as the second of six children. He graduated from Winneconne High School. Everett helped run the farm before going to school to study Conservation at the University of Stevens Point.
Everett met his future wife, Carol Ellen Carley by way of his best friend (her cousin) in 1961. They were married on May 2, 1964. He worked for the WI. Conservation Fisheries Dept. in Oshkosh for 3 years. Everett transferred to the DNR Fish Hatchery in Wild Rose in 1967. They purchased property north of Wild Rose and designed-built their own home, with the help of Carol’s father, Arden.
Everett and Carol enjoyed 61 years of marriage and were blessed with two sons, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Always an active conservationist, Everett enjoyed his job working for the WI DNR for several years before he left to pursue his dream of becoming a full-time artist. Ev combined his love of conservation with his talents as a wood carver and created life-like ducks and songbirds which he carved, and Carol painted. They would sell at art shows throughout the Midwest. His love of conservation and the outdoors included hunting and fishing where he was able to pass along his love to his children. Hunting trips were taken to several western states and bear hunting and fishing in Canada, which Carol also participated.
He enjoyed distance running and was active in a local running club. He ran twelve marathons, countless half-marathons, and later coached the Wild Rose HS Cross-Country Teams. By good fortune, he ran in the 100th Boston Marathon in 1996, when his name was drawn from hundreds of applicants.
Everett had a strong sense of civic duty. He served the Town of Springwater for 34 years as Town Board Chairman and was a Waushara County Board Supervisor for 32 years. He also participated in the local Kiwanis club.
During this period, the Town of Springwater built the “Springwater Volunteer Covered Bridge” over the Pine River (west of Saxeville). He was the last surviving member of the original team of six men, who started building the bridge trusses.
Everett was a Master Gardener and taught several classes in the area on how to construct and maintain a “Square Foot” garden: to grow more vegetables in a smaller area. He provided extra crops from his garden to anyone who could use them. He & Carol were the main staff for several years that helped to maintain the Covered Bridge Park Gardens. He appreciated the help from the various volunteers who also donated many hours with maintaining the C. B. Park Gardens.
Everett loved the Lord, and he loved people. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wild Rose, since moving to the area in 1967. He taught Sunday School for several years and held various church council offices. He was the current Council President.
Everett is survived by his wife Carol and two sons: Shawn (Heather) of Reedsville, WI, and Todd (Lorraine) of Olympia, WA. Two sisters, Judy Albee of Houghton, MI., Janet (Ed) Fritz of Franklin, WI, brothers Lewis, Jr. of Oshkosh, WI and Curtis of Green Bay, WI., brother-in-law, Arthur Merry of Oshkosh, WI. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Chloe Eckstein, Duluth, MN, Noah Eckstein, Milwaukee, Kimberly (Jacob) Keeling, Erin (Conley) Payne, Dylan (Karley) Eckstein, Brenna Eckstein and Dana (Oscea) Eckstein, and two Great-Grandchildren, William and Zoe Keeling, all from the Olympia area. Everett was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Jean Merry, brother-in-law, Steve Albee and sister -in-law, Sandra Friedenberger.
A celebration of Everett’s life will be held from 10:00 AM until time of service at 12:00 PM on Monday, September 8, 2025 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 420 Park Street, Wild Rose, WI 54984. Private family burial will be held at Ravine (Lane) Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Holly Funeral Home of Wild Rose is assisting the family with arrangements.
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