May Eleanor Alrick Eck passed away peacefully at St, Peter’s Hospital on August 14th 2025 after suffering a stroke in her home a few days before. She was 104 years old.
Eleanor was born on March 13th, 1921 in Richey, Montana, the second child of James Julius and Margaret May (Maggie) Alrick. She had a sister, Margaret, nine years older than her. By the time her mother passed away when she was eight years old, the family had moved to Wolf Point, where her father managed a grain elevator. Eleanor went to grade school there, skipping the second grade but later repeating the fifth grade after she was bedridden for several months with rheumatic fever. She began taking piano lessons in second grade igniting a lifelong love of music.
After the rheumatic fever, her father sent her to a Catholic boarding school, St. Matthews, in Kalispell. Barely a teenager, she rode the train from Wolf Point to Kalispell several times a year by herself and although terribly homesick, became fond of several of the nuns and often played the piano and organ for church functions. After a year away in Galata with relatives, she returned to St. Matthews for ninth grade. More comfortable by then, she took part in several plays, including a starring role as an old lady (to be duplicated in spades in later years). She returned to Wolf Point for her junior and senior years in high school, often playing the piano for the glee club.
She moved to Helena in 1940 to live with her sister who was working there. Her first job was alphabetizing tax forms for the Department of Equalization (the forerunner of the Department of Revenue). While driving up Last Chance Gulch one day, she and a friend saw a good-looking man with bandaged hands standing in front of a gas station. Her friend said his name was Stanley Eck and Eleanor said he is the one for me. Early in the war, she and three of her friends decided to move to Seattle to work for the Army Corp of Engineers. They lasted only five months before returning home, but Eleanor later enlisted in the Navy in May of 1944. After training in New York City and Atlanta she was stationed near Seattle to train pilots on the Link Trainer (an early version of a flight simulator).
Returning from the war, she and her sister moved into the upstairs rooms at the Eck house, giving her a bit of an inside track with Stan and they were married on June 18th, 1949. Following a reception at the Montana Club and a honeymoon to California, she and Stan and one of his best friends moved to Del Loma, California to mine for gold. After several months in a rustic fishing cabin and no gold, they returned to Helena where Stan started his own business, Helena Tire.
Their first child, Kermit Eck was born in 1952 and their second child Karen Eck was born in 1956. After several years raising her children, Eleanor went back to work in 1969, first for the Legislative Auditor and then for the Legislative Council. Stan passed away in 1978 and Eleanor retired from the state in 1985.
Eleanor moved into her house in Reeder’s village in 1998 and lived there independently until her death (in spite of numerous requests from her daughter and daughter-in-law to move to assisted living). She loved to sit on her deck, water her flowers, and drink an occasional tablespoon of wine, as she became a minor celebrity to the kindly neighbors surrounding her. Her determination was tested when she broke her hip at 97, but she rehabbed in eight weeks to fly to her grandson’s wedding in Philadelphia.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Alrick, her father, James Alrick, her sister Margaret (Honey) Alrick, and her husband Stanley Eck. She is survived by her son, Kermit Eck (Earline) and daughter, Karen Sawyer as well as five grandchildren; Hailey Hancock (Joey), Tyler Eck (Sandy), Ian Eck, Kevin Sawyer, and Katie Buchanan (Clayton), and six great grandchildren; Hensley Hancock, Eleanor Hancock, Anderson Hancock, Lilly Eck, Forrest Eck, and Brady Buchanon.
We would like to express special thanks to the several ladies who helped Eleanor at her house in Reeder’s Village (in spite of her best efforts to refuse help) as well as the doctors and nurses at St. Peter’s Hospital who were not only skilled medically but were also incredibly kind and compassionate during her stay after her stroke.
A Graveside service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at Forestvale Cemetery.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday August 20, 2025
Forestvale Cemetery
690 Forestvale Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday August 20, 2025
Forestvale Cemetery
690 Forestvale Rd.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Deena Verworn says
Karen, Kermit and family, I am so very sad to hear of Eleanor’s passing. I truly enjoyed all the time I had with her over the years, I admired her quick wit and sense of humor and sheer determination. She will be missed! Gods blessings to all of you.
Deena
Janet Eck Bloom says
Dearest Cousins- Well, what can I say? Aunt Eleanor lived her life in a way few people ever live. Throughout her life, she lived in the moment and for the moment! She put aside formidable obstacles, and carried on as if nothing had happened! She was the personification of life itself! She had courage, fortitude and a deep curiosity about life! Her service during WWII as part of the WAVES, training pilots, speaks to her love of this country and her selfless sacrifice for our country! I will always remember her laughter, the way she held her cigarette, her stiletto heels and her brownies! I loved her deeply, and will miss her terribly. May all 104 years of memories of her brilliant life bring you comfort in the days ahead. I love you both! 💕💕💕 Janet
Terry Beaver says
Kermit and family, Karen and family,
Death is always difficult, but what an fabulous life she experienced.
Mourn not in her death, but rejoice in that she was.
Terry “Mr. Beaver”
Deborah Carter says
Dear Kermit, Karen and family,
I wanted to offer my condolences to you and your family for the loss of your mom. She was fiercely independent and I know she gave you guys that independent answer whenever you asked her to move so that she would have extra help and care. 104 years of life is amazing, she knows you were worried about her but what a strong, independent woman!
My family lived block away from the Ecks and we were great friends. My brother and sister and I certainly spend a lot of time at your house over the years. I don’t remember that your mom played the piano for us or that she was extremely dramatic. I do remember her with a cigarette most of the time, that she moved quickly and didn’t mince words. We knew when it was time to go home! Bless your mom for putting up with us!
I regret that I didn’t see her in these last few years of her life. I know that she is loved and will be missed.
God bless your mom, Kermit and Karen,
With love,
Debbie Reber Carter
Pam Tyree says
Kermit, Karen and families
Eleanor was a treasure! What an interesting life she led. Staying in her own home shows her independence and how stubborn she was! I’m glad she prevailed in staying at home. You guys did great always being there for her. Your families can celebrate what an amazing life she had and how long you got to have her with you.
Rest in peace Eleanor.
Pam Kovick Tyree