Dolores Birschbach Ecker

Dolores B. Ecker, 67 formerly of West Bend, recently living with her sister Betty and James Costello at St Peter, died on Wednesday May 12, 2004 at her sister's residence.She was born on November 4,1936 in Mt Calvary, daughter of the late Walter J. and Antonia R.(Lauby) Birschbach. She married Paul J Ecker on October 29,1955 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mt Calvary. Dolores graduated in 1950 from Holy Cross School, Mt Calvary in 1954 from St Mary's Springs High School, Fond du Lac. In 1983 she received the Catechist Advanced Certification from the Green Bay Diocese, in 1993 Adult and Family Ministry Certification from Cardinal Stritch University, in 1995 Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies entering the Religious Studies Masters Program at Cardinal Stritch University.Dolores had a great love for children. In 1964 she volunteered as a teacher-aid and helped to form the first religious education program at St Mary's Parish, Stockbridge, serving as catechist, parish Minister's formation and first parish council. While a member at St Augustine Parish Chilton, Dolores was a volunteer catechist in their religious education program also. In 1972 Dolores developed the 'Faith Is. ..' series published in the Green Bay Diocesan newspaper THE SPIRIT. From 1987-1992, she was Director of Religious Education at St John the Baptist Parish, Plymouth. In 1992 she served at Immaculate Conception/St Mary's Parish, West Bend until her Retirement in June 2000. She was advisor to the West Bend Quad parish Catholic youth Outreach and traveled to missionary assignments in1998-2000. Dolores farmed in the Town of Stockbridge for 34 years while volunteering in community service organizations. In 1962-64 she served as president to St Mary's Stockbridge Christian Women, Secretary to Calumet Deanery Christian Women, Appleton Monte Alverno Retreat Center promoter from 1964 to the present. A member of the Winnebago Homemakers Club for the past 47 years, she served as Calumet County Vice Pres/President 1967-1971. She chaired the first 'Quest For Knowledge' college day for women in 1968, was International Program of Work Chairperson for the Wisconsin Extension Homemakers Council from 1967-1971. She was responsible for the Wisconsin delegation attending the 1968 East Lansing, MI and the 1971 Oslo, Norway, Associated Country Women of the World conferences. A member of Calumet County Mental Health Association, its Board and a Hot Line operator while being instrumental in promoting the first Mental Health Clinic in Calumet County. Dolores served on the Lake Winnebago Area- Wide Health Systems Agency as Chairperson. In 1976- 85 she received 4 successive appointments to the Wisconsin Health Policy Council from Governor, Patrick Lucey, with re-appointments from Governors Martin Schreiber, Lee Sherman Dreyfus, and Anthony Earl. She was a thirty-four year member in the American Legion Auxiliary, serving as Unit Vice-President and President. Dolores was a member of Immaculate Conception/St Mary's Parish, Christian Women Society West Bend, and the West Bend Survivors include, two sisters, Betty J. (James) Costello, St Peter, Rose A. (David) Faucher, Malone, five brothers, Ralph (June) Birschbach, Paul (Nancy Lee) Birschbach, Mt Calvary, Roger (Mary Ann) Birschbach, Malone, Gordon (Barbara) Birschbach, Thiensville, Wayne (Michele) Mesa AZ, a sister-in-law Pat (Henry deceased) Birschbach, Mt Calvary. She is further survived by, her former husband Paul J.Ecker, Stockbrdge, sisters-in-law, Elsie (Herbert) Popp, Clara (John) Meuer, Chilton, Lucy {Richard) Fennig, Milwaukee, Brothers-in-law, Fred Ecker, Sheboygan, Jerome Ecker, Chula Vista, CA, God- children, Steven Costello, Plainfield IL, Dr Lee Faucher, Iowa City, Iowa, Leanne Birschbach, Fond du Lac, Dennis Birschbach, Fond du Lac, Larry Birschbach, St Cloud, Francis Popp, Charlesburg, Robert Meuer, Oklahoma, Mary Konarski Sheboygan, God-parents, Regina Nett, the late Ambrose Birschbach, and many many supportive friends and prayer partners, especially Ann Van Grinsven, Brothertown. Preceding her in death were her parents, Walter and Antonia Birschbach, one brother Henry Birschbach, nieces, Susan Costello Petrie, Susan Birschbach, nephew, Charles Birschbach, grand nephew Tim Costello, parents-in-law, August and Bertha (Simon) Ecker, brother-in-law Arthur Ecker, sisters-in-law Myrna Ecker and Sophie Ecker.



A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday May 17th at 7 :OO pm at Immaculate Conception/St Mary's Church, 1610 Monroe St, West Bend. Rev. Patrick Wendt, Rev. Mark Joseph Costello OFM Cap, and Rev. Werner Wolf OFM Cap will concelebrate. Visitation- at the church Monday May 17, 2004 from 4 to 7 PM. Burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mt Calvary. Visitation on Sunday May 16, 2004 from 4 -8:00pm at the Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 N Park Ave. Fond du Lac. A Parish vigil service will be held Sunday evening at the funeral home. In leu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to St Mary's Springs High School, or MACC Fund, or St Mary's Catholic School, West Bend. , "A deep appreciation and thank you to everyone for your prayers and support during Dolores' illness" The Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, Fond du Lac assisted the family.