Mabel B. Eckenrod 97, of Shell Rock, formerly of Waterloo, died Friday May 3, 2024, at the Shell Rock Care Center. She was born October 3, 1926, on the farm in Floyd County, daughter of Edward K. and Elsie (Hauswirth) Stille. Mabel graduated from Nashua High School in 1945 and earned her teaching certificate. Mabel married Kenneth Eckenrod on May 12, 1945, in Belton, Texas, while he was serving in the U.S. Army. He died May 27, 2013. She worked at Rath packing, Woolworths, and Hinson Manufacturing for 19 years, retiring in 1987.

Mabel was a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church for over 60 years. She cooked for community meals and funeral luncheons. Mabel sewed wedding dresses, prom dresses, clothing alterations, quilted, hand-embroidered towels and quilts. She enjoyed camping and Sunday brunches for the family for years. Her family was her everything.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Lyle) Buhr of Alpha; son, Kerry (Mary) Eckenrod of Raymond; six grandchildren, Traci (Anthony) McNally, Brian (Lesa) Buhr, Michelle (Ron) Coppola, Ryan Martens, Sara (Tom) Whyte, Amanda (Zack) Bolton; eight great-grandchildren, Rev. Alex (Ashley) & Rev. Abraham (Shannon) McNally, Abbie Buhr, Lucius & Rhys Martens, Mary & Elizabeth Whyte, and Christopher Bolton.

Mabel is preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Eckenrod; daughter, Rita Martens; great-granddaughter, Jordan Martens; five brothers, Robert Stille, Clarence Stille, Eldon Stille, Clyde Stille and Kenneth Stille; two sisters, Lucille Cummins, and Leona Jacobs.

Funeral services will be 10:30am Friday, May 10, 2024, at the St. Paul Methodist Church, Waterloo. Burial will be in the Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00pm Thursday, May 9, 2024, at the Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave., Waterloo.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for a fund that will be established.

Condolences may be sent to www.lockefuneralservices.com.