Joyce M. Eckhardt

Joyce M. Eckhardt, age 77, of Crofton, Nebraska, died Monday, November 17, 2025, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota.

A memorial service will be 2:00 PM on Monday, November 24, 2025, at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the memorial service on Monday at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home.

Joyce Marilyn Eckhardt was born January 16, 1948 in Crofton, Nebraska to Norman and Blossom (Hennings) McShannon. She was the second of four children to sisters, Phyllis and Marcia and brother, Mark. Joyce attended country school for five years and transferred to Crofton Public School, where she graduated in 1966. After graduation, Joyce attended CE School of Commerce in Omaha, Nebraska. Joyce married Chuck Eckhardt on December 23, 1967. Chuck entered the Army and was sent to Vietnam and Korea. Joyce maintained a home in Crofton, when he was deployed. Their first son, Scott, was born in 1970 and the second son, Brad, was born in 1973. The family moved to Germany for two years where Chuck was stationed. Later, Chuck and Joyce and the family were stationed in Alabama. Joyce was the acting President of the NCO Wives Club. She helped new Army families adjust to military life. Their third child, Ryan, was born in 1986. After Chuck’s Army retirement, the family moved to Crofton.

Joyce worked several years at the Crofton Post Office cleaning and decorating the front windows for the holidays and greeting customers. Joyce enjoyed working for almost 28 years at the Crofton Senior Center. She enjoyed working with the staff and all who came into the center. She loved crafting and decorating her home for the holidays, with an emphasis on glitter! She gifted her creations to family and friends. Joyce’s biggest enjoyment in life was caring for her loving family, caring for her pets, feeding the birds and nurturing her flowers.

Joyce is survived by husband, Chuck Eckhardt; sons, Brad Eckhardt and Ryan Eckhardt of Crofton; brother, Mark McShannon of McCook, NE; sisters, Marcia Jones of Poulsbo, WA and Phyllis Dingman of Yankton, SD; brothers-in-law, Alan Dingman of Yankton, Chris Eckhardt of Creighton, NE, and Paul Eckhardt of Coleridge, NE; sister-in-law, Janelle Beckman of Dodge City, IA as well as many nephews, nieces and cousins.

Joyce is preceded in death by her son, Scott Eckhardt; parents, Norman and Blossom McShannon; brothers-in-law, Dave Jones, Raymond Pool and Dan Eckhardt and parents-in-law, Alvin and Josephine Eckhardt.