Charles Magnus Eckberg
Charles Magnus Eckberg of Newcastle, Wyo., died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, at the Weston County Manor in Newcastle from complications of Alzheimer's disease. He was 80 years old.
Charles was born June 18,1926, in Anaconda, the son of Peter and Mary Eckberg. Charles, along with his three sisters, was raised in Anaconda and attended Anaconda schools. He graduated from Anaconda High in 1944. While attending Anaconda High, Charles was a popular student and a tremendous athlete. He was the student body president, junior class president and a member of National Honor Society. He earned eight varsity letters in football, basketball and track. He was the starting left end on Anaconda High's 1943 Class A State Championship football team. Charles also played American Legion baseball in the summers during high school.
In 1944, after graduating from high school, Charles was drafted into the U.S. Army and entered World War II. He was a rifleman in the 25th infantry division and fought in numerous battles in the Philippines. He received the Bronze Star for valor in the Battle of Belate Pass. Charles finished his military commitment by serving in the army of occupation of Japan until he was honorably discharged from the Army in September 1946.
Charles returned from World War II and attended Montana State College in Bozeman and Butte Business College in Butte, studying engineering and business.
In 1947, he met Ruth Clifford. Charles and Ruth were married on April 5, 1948, in Portland. From this union of marriage, Charles and Ruth had six children. They raised their children in Butte, Anaconda, Helena, Fort Benton and Billings while Charles worked in various accounting and hospital administration jobs. He had a lifelong interest in history, all of the arts and entertainment, and was an amateur comedian.
Charles is survived by his wife of almost 59 years, Ruth Eckberg, of Newcastle. He also is survived by five daughters, Marilyn Eckberg of Sarasota, Fla., Carol Swanson and her husband, Dennis, of Newcastle, Janet Momper and her husband, John, of Batavia, Ill., Darien Eckberg and her husband, Michael Fox, of Alameda, Calif., and Laura Alexander of Las Vegas; and a son, Richard Eckberg and his wife, Sharon, of Billings. He also is survived by six grandchildren, Max Sternberg of Brooklyn, N.Y., Nola Sternberg of Missoula, Andrew Charles Clavadetscher and his wife, Cynthia, of Loveland, Colo., Robert Charles Eckberg of Bellingham, Wash., John Charles Momper of De Kalb, Ill., and Kathleen Momper of Batavia.
Charles also is survived by his three sisters, Alice Elliott of Billings, Esther Gallagher and her husband, Vernon "Red" of Kalispell, and Helen Clark of Kalispell. He is also survived by 12 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers-in-law, Jack Elliott and Jim Clark.
Worden Funeral Directors of Newcastle are in charge of the cremation.
At Charles request, there will not be any official memorial services.