C. Eckblade

C. James Eckblade, 80, of 801 N. Juniata, Ave., Juniata, Nebraska, died Saturday, November 8, 2003 at his home.

Memorial service will be Friday, November 14, 2003; 11:00 A.M. at First Congregational, United Church of Christ with Rev. Barry Rempp officiating. No viewing, Mr. Eckblade was cremated. Interment at a later date in Stromsburg, Nebraska.

C. James Eckblade was born July 14, 1923 in Schuyler, Nebraska to Charles & Anna (Brodine) Eckblade and the grandson of John & Johanna Eckblade and Olaf & Brita Brodine, all formerly of Stromsburg, Nebraska. He graduated from Stromsburg High School in 1941 and served in the United States Army Air Corp from 1942 to 1946. He spent most of his WWII years in the south Pacific as a radio operator on B19 and B25 bombers. Following the war, he attended and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a BS in Electrical Engineering. He and Eda Ree Hass were married in Riverside, California in 1953. They moved to Hastings where he spent 38 years, retiring as manager of the Nebraska Public Power District Dispatch Office. Jim was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and a Registered Professional Engineer. While at the University, he studied violin with Emanuel Wishnow and later played in the Hastings Symphony for 36 years. Music and woodworking were his passions. He made three violins, rebuilt a cello for his daughter, and built many beautiful pieces of furniture. He and EdaRee were active members of the First Congregational, United Church of Christ in Hastings and sang in the choir for many years. Jim was co-chairman of the Building committee, guiding the completion of the present structure. He has served on the Board of Trustees of the church and was a member of the Outdoor Ministries Committee of Nebraska Conference, UCC. He is survived by his wife, Eda Ree, four daughters and sons-in-law, Becky & Dan Higgins and Anita & Mark Schaepe of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Miriam Eckblade and Emily & Jeff Weak of Omaha, Nebraska, ten grandchildren and one sister, Annette Rogers of McMinnville, Oregon. He will be sorely missed by his family and many friends.

Memorial: Hastings Symphony Orchestra or First Congregational, United Church of Christ Organ Fund