Norman ‘Norm’ Elroy Eck was born on October 17, 1922 in Helena, Montana in his parents’ home and passed away at the Masonic Home in the Helena Valley on January 10, 2014 of natural causes. He was the second son of John August Eck and Marie Swenson Eck, Swedish immigrants. He joined his older brother Stanley in completing the family.
He attended Central School through the 8th grade. Then during his 9th grade year he was schooled in the rail coaches following the Helena earthquake that damaged the high school. He graduated from Helena High School in 1940.
He enlisted in the Army at the start of WWII. His first assignment was in Poston, Arizona. He also spent time in Fort Benning, Georgia where he and a friend from Helena, Roy Arnold, decided to apply to Officer Candidate School. Norm attended The Armor School OCS in Fort Knox, Kentucky, and then transferred to Medical Corp OCS in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He was proud of being the assistant chief of patients in Palm Springs, California, handling wounded veterans returning stateside from the Pacific Theater. At the Presidio in San Francisco, he was a train commander for several hospital trains transporting wounded to regional veterans hospitals. He attained the rank of First Lieutenant. As an officer at the close of WWII he was not discharged but placed on inactive duty. He was recalled to service under Patton’s Second Armored Division as a medical officer and was stationed at Gonsenheim, Mainz, Germany from 1949 to 1952. He was able to share the European experience with his lovely bride Elaine Johnson Eck.
Norman met Elaine at an officer’s dance at Fort Harrison in a date arranged by their mothers in the early fall of 1946. That ‘Little Johnson Girl’ had Norman’s heart from the first moment he saw her. A proposal on Le Grande Cannon Boulevard on Christmas Eve December, 1946 led to Norman and Elaine’s marriage at St. John’s Lutheran Church on June 14, 1947. Their wild honeymoon stretched on for weeks the full width of the country and even Canada. One of Norm’s favorite memories was when they went through Glasgow, Montana on a hot summer day on their return route to Helena; Elaine was refused service at a restaurant for wearing shorts!
He attended the University of Minnesota for one year prior to joining the Army. Upon completion of this European service, he and Elaine returned to Helena and continued on to Spokane, Washington where Norm attended Kinman Business College. He studied bookkeeping and accounting. They returned to Helena awaiting the birth of their first child. Dad worked briefly for the State of Montana and then struck out once again in Eck Family tradition of running his own business. Over his working career he worked for Eck Oil (the stories he could tell of driving an oil truck from Cut Bank to Helena in the winter), Kaiser Frasier Dealership, and his favorite businesses, Pay -n- Save Gas and Eck’s Toy Box and Hobby Shop, which were located on Neill Avenue. He loved introducing the young people of Helena to slot car racing and electric trains. He let Elaine assist the young ladies with their doll needs. When they closed the gas station and toy business in 1975, he and Elaine set about enjoying their retirement. Retirement was interrupted a few times as Norm enjoyed working the legislative sessions. He worked hard behind the scenes to see that the bill that brought relay service for the speech and hearing impaired to Montana was passed, an honor to his grandson, Evan.
Norm was an avid fly fisherman and could often be seen tempting the native fish population in the Blackfoot and other Montana waters. He taught both his children to fly fish and loved that they enjoyed the sport. The years that their daughter was attending school at Harvard meant trips to the east coast, winter trips to Hawaii, and the annual excursion to Glacier National Park. He enjoyed spending time with his grandson, flying kites, bowling, and archery, tinkering with every tool in the garage, and not to mention secret trips to Bob’s Pizza. Norm enjoyed a good game of bridge and especially if that game involved his daughter and granddaughter, Maya.
Norm was a Past Master of King Solomon’s Lodge No. 9 A.F. and A.M., The Scottish Rite and Algeria Shrine.
Norm’s parents, his wife, Elaine, brother, Stanley, along with multiple aunts, uncles and cousins pre-decease him. He is survived by his son, Eric (Nickie) and grandson Evan of Helena and his daughter, Janet (Eliot Bloom) and their daughters, Rachel and Maya of New Hampshire.
The family would like to thank the loving staff at the Masonic Home of Montana and the staff and medical professionals at Fort Harrison VA Medical Center for their compassionate care.
A memorial service celebrating Norm’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 25, 2014 at St. John’s Lutheran Church; 1000 Helena Ave. A reception will follow the memorial service at the church. Memorials in Norm’s name may be made to an organization of the donor’s choice.
Jerry Crum says
you were a wonderful part of my life ! always thought of your family as a part of mine
Rita A Williams says
Please accept my sorrow at the death of Norm. He and your mother, Elaine were always very kind to me and to my girls. I remember several times Norm came across the street to put air in car tires before my girls took off for school. Whenever we were away we could also feel secure in knowing that your mother and father had a look out for our home. I have missed seeing your mother and visiting with her in the grocery store.
Please know that they are both in my prayers as are you at this time of sadness.
Robert "Bob" Liedle says
I remember the Toy Box and slot car racing only to find myself working for Norm at the gas station/toy store where I sold gasoline for 5 cents a gallon for him. Many fond memories of the Eck family living on Warren before heading off to college. Sorry for the loss but will never forget the memories. Blessings to the entire family.
Carl and Laurie Quist says
Many fond memories of the Eck family and we send our love and prayers to Eric and Janet and their families.
Rita A Williams says
My daughters Bridget and Janna want me to extend their sorrow to you. They also reminded me about the summers that your Mom and Dad would stop over with fresh fruit that they purchased for all the kids that were always at our home. They were giving people.
penny evans says
So sorry to hear of Norm’s passing. He has now rejoined “that Johnson girl” but will continue to watch over his family.
Vicki Duncan says
Eric, Nickie and Evan, I am sorry to hear of Norm’s passing. Please know you are all in my thoughts. Take care.
Marty Baumann says
I have fond memories of working at Eck’s Toy & the gas station. Norm gave me one of my first jobs as a kid. I remember taking most of my pay in toys rather than cash. Later, as an adult, he asked me to help him with his Beta editing setup. Good memories. His family is in my prayers.
BILL MILES says
Both Norm and Elaine were great friends, I remember Norm
at Helena High. Our kids loved the ” Toy Shop”
Vonnie Jenkins says
I’m so sorry for your loss. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers! God bless you all!
Jimmy & Cindy Wollenberg says
Eric, Nickie and Evan. We are truly sorry to hear of your family’s loss. It is never easy to lose a parent, but we never, ever lose the memories. Evan your Grandfather was a wonderful man. We are thinking of you all.