Jenell D. Eckerle, 83, passed away Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at the Residency in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.
She was born May 29, 1940 in Rushville, Nebraska to Emerson J. and Winifred I. (Wollaston) Eckerle.
Jenell’s commitment to education was evident throughout her life. She graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Agriculture in 1958. She continued her studies at Wesleyan University in Lincoln and at Chadron State College, earning her bachelor’s degree in 1963, and later her master’s degree in 1968. For close to four decades, she dedicated herself to teaching elementary education.
Her teaching career began in Harrisburg and later Alliance, Sidney, and Cherry Creek Schools in Colorado, before joining the Gering Public Schools, where she devoted over 30 years of her career.
She was a member of the Vine United Methodist Church in Scottsbluff.
She is survived by her sisters, Marilynn (Kenneth) Huck of Bayard and Glenda Eckerle (Ted Erlewine) of Rapid City, SD; her nieces, Shauna Ziemer of Bayard and Kristin (Jeff) Harm of Gothenburg; 5 great nieces, 1 great nephew and 1 great great nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents and her great nephew, Austin Willert.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at the Bates-Gould Chapel. Reverend Craig Collins will officiate. Burial will be in the Alliance Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, December 8, 2023 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Festival of Hope, P.O. Box 377, Scottsbluff, Nebraska, 69363, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.