The family of Donald Eckroth of Mandan, ND announces his passing, and invites all who knew him to remember him here.
Here is what mattered, in the years between the dates.
Donald spent his working life as ['Kist Livestock before entering the construction field'] and held deeply to the Catholic faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
A life of faith is rarely a life of certainty — but always one of trust.
Donald Eckroth, 91, of Mandan, passed away May 3, 2026, at Edgewood in Mandan. He finally put himself on his beloved “top shelf.”Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, May 8, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mandan, with burial to follow at Mandan Union Cemetery.Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Thursday, May 7, at Weigel Funeral Home in Mandan. A Men of the Moose Ritual will begin at 6:45 PM, followed by a Parish Rosary and Vigil. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.Donald was born November 10, 1934, in Mandan, the son of John and Angeline (Leingang) Eckroth. He was the 13th of 16 children and was raised on the family farm alongside his eight brothers and seven sisters. Don was educated at the nearby one-room schoolhouse, Bonanza School #8.Realizing that farming and ranching were not his life’s calling, Don moved to Mandan where he worked at Kist Livestock before entering the construction field. He worked for North Dakota Concrete Sales and later for the late Lloyd Thompson at Mandan Foundry. Don was part of the team that built the new Heskett Station. His strong work ethic did not go unnoticed, leading to an opportunity in 1966, when he was offered a position with the City of Mandan caring for Mandan Union Cemetery. For 41 years, he took great pride in his work, always wanting the cemetery to look its best for the families of those laid to rest and for the public eye.On July 7, 1962, Don married Delanis Ferderer at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mandan. In 1968, their family grew with the birth of their daughter, Dori Jean, who was the apple of his eye. Don and Dori shared a special bond, and he always placed her on a “top shelf.” This was especially evident in his final days, as he waited for her to return home so they could spend time together before his passing.Don enjoyed gardening, camping, fishing, and hunting. In his retirement, he grew beautiful roses in his yard.Don was an active member of the Mandan Moose Lodge. He volunteered many hours, wherever he was needed and also achieved the Pilgrim Degree of Honor. He greatly enjoyed the time he spent there and especially valued the friendships he built over the years. Don was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge, and also a member of St. Anthony Verein, the Eagles Club and the Knights of Columbus.He was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He especially enjoyed volunteering in Medora during the spring and fall for 10 years. Those who knew him well, often smiled and said, “It’s probably an Eckroth thing,” a phrase the family used when recognizing the pride, dedication, and strong character Don carried throughout his life.Grateful for having shared in his life is his wife of 63 years, Delanis Eckroth of Mandan; daughter, Dori Ost of Maple Valley, WA; grandchildren, Dylan Lee Ost and Jake Donald (Abby) Ost; great-granddaughters, Maeve and Iyla; siblings, Rosella Kuhn and Raymond Eckroth; sister-in-law, Phyllis Eckroth, Caroline (Frank) Felson, and Pauline Cushman; brother-in-law, Gene Hatzenbeler; along with many caring nieces and nephews;Don was preceded in death by his parents; his parents-in-law, John and Mary Ferderer; brothers, Alex (Judy), Adam, John (Ethel), Jake (Judy), Vincent, Albert (Bernice and Alice), and infant Valentine; sisters, Elizabeth (Edward) Miller, Hildegard (Albert) Miller, Genevieve (Robert) Haller, Viola (Bob) Klesalek, Lorraine Hatzenbeler, and infant Mary Magdalene; brothers-in-law, Ralph Kuhn, Eugene Gress, and Fred Cushman; and sister-in-law, Priscilla Eckroth.Memorials are suggested to the Theodore Roosevelt Foundation PO Box 1696, Bismarck, ND, 58502.Special thanks to the staff and caregivers at Edgewood in Mandan for the wonderful, dedicated care they gave to Don and for the many special friendships he made there. Don put each one of you on his “top shelf”.
