Jill Colleen (Cowan) Eckardt, 53, of New Richmond, WI passed away on April 30, 2023 twenty -one months after being diagnosed with grade 4 glioblastoma brain cancer. Her dignity, perspective and love shown through from the moment of her diagnosis, through three surgeries and her final days. Jill was born to KC and Gloria Cowan on March 10, 1970 in Elmhurst, Illinois, arriving several minutes ahead of twin sister Jennifer. The family, including older brother Josh moved to Chippewa Falls later that year. Jill was “always on the go” active throughout her life excelling in swimming, gymnastics and track for the Chippewa Falls Cardinals. Following graduation, Jill attended UW-Green Bay earning a swimming scholarship and competing four years for the Phoenix, graduating with a degree in human services. She furthered her education with a degree in elementary education from UW- Stout. She taught kindergarten at Stillson Elementary in Chippewa Falls and Roosevelt Elementary in Eau Claire. In 2008, she moved with her family to New Richmond and taught at Hillside Elementary School in New Richmond until January 2023. She was an incredibly vibrant and energetic kindergarten teacher mixing music and enthusiasm in an active and busy classroom. Jill loved her students and did everything she could to establish an important foundation for her students’ future education.
On September 18, 1999 she married Casey Eckardt and they were blessed with two wonderful boys
-Cooper and Cal. She enjoyed adventures with “her boys,” running, golf, ocean vacations and Friday fish fry. She grew to love baseball and Wisconsin Badger football and passionately watched her boys participate in football, basketball, hockey and baseball. She carried the load in getting the boys to all their events and was a loyal supporter, first of Eau Claire Memorial baseball and later New Richmond Tiger athletics, where she assisted in working athletic events. Jill made everyone she met feel important as she loved people and she was loved in turn.
Jill is survived by her husband Casey and boys Cooper (UW-Madison) and Cal (attending UW- Madison in the fall). She is also survived by her parents KC and Gloria Cowan of Chippewa Falls, brother Josh (Kim) of Hudson, sister Jennifer Bublitz (Karl) of Boynton Beach, Florida, in-laws Rueben and Rosemarie Eckardt of Birnamwood, sister-in-law Jill (Bill) Eckardt-Horstman of Denton, Texas and brother-in-law Michael (Risa) Eckardt of St. Paul, MN. She is further survived by nieces and nephews Madison, Charlie, Kyle, Celli, August, Joey and Leah as well as numerous aunts, uncles and the “Kansas City” cousins. The family also thanks her special friends who supported her throughout her illness: Kari, Kris, Amie, Jane and Carol and her special Kindergarten team of Tracey, Leah, Kelsie and Nicole.
Visitation was Thursday, May 4, 2023 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services 728 S Knowles Ave New Richmond followed by a celebration of life at The Old Saloon (her favorite Friday hangout) 145 S Knowles Ave New Richmond from 7:30 – 10:00 pm. Mass of Christian Burial was Friday, May 5, 2023 at 11:30 am at St. Charles Catholic Church 810 Pearl St, Chippewa Falls, WI with visitation 2 hours prior to services. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to the Jill Eckardt Scholarship fund: School District of New Richmond, Attn: Jill Eckardt Memorial Scholarship Fund, 701 East 11th St. New Richmond, WI 54017. Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funearl & Cremation Services.
New Richmond:
(715) 243-5252 |
River Falls:
(715) 425-8788
26 Comments
Casey and boys- so sorry to hear of Jill’s passing. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all. Big hugs!!
The Hubmer’s
Shocked and saddened to hear of this. My son Ryan had her as a teacher 5 years ago. We absolutely loved her! Our sincerest condolences.
I am so shocked to hear of Jill’s passing. My heart breaks for you Casey and the boys and all who knew her. Her laugh, her humor, her zest for life. I will always remember our time working at Hillside together – many years of much fun and laughter. I’ll miss you Jill — every time I play Katy Perry Dark Horse I’ll think of you and sing loudly for the both of us until I see you again.
So sorry to hear this. Prayers to all who knew her and will be feeling this loss. She was a great woman. Takin way to soon.
I was so sorry to hear of Jill’s passing. I always admired her humor and loyalty. As coach’s wife, it wasn’t always easy to sit in the stands but she did it with such grace. I enjoyed the conversations we shared as I watched the Old Abes baseball team. Casey, you and Cooper and Cal are in my thoughts and prayers.
In very sorry to hear of Jill’s passing. I have very fond memories getting to know her while coaching at Eau Claire Memorial with Casey. To Casey and the boys, please accept our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. The Old Abe baseball community grieves with at this time. God bless.
Casey and boys. I am so sorry to learn of Jills passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Cherish the memories.
Casey, my sincere condolences to you and your family. Your impact on me as my coach, teacher, and mentor has positively impacted my life and many others. Although I didn’t know Jill well, It sounds like she was an amazing person. Prayers to you and yours.
Our deepest sympathies to Casey, Cal, Cooper and her extended family. What an amazing wife, mom, sister, auntie. Your smile was contagious and your ZEST for life was undeniable. You made baseball weekends so fun! Please know your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Sending our love
To all of the family we extend our deepest thoughts, prayers and sympathy as Jill is remembered with love. Blessings to each of you now and in the days ahead.
We are so very sorry for your loss. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
I am so saddened to hear of Jill’s passing. My heart breaks and tears fall. She will be remembered for her kindness and love for her family, students and those dear to her. I pray for peace and strength for Casey and the boys moving forward. God Bless!
Dear family of Jill, I am so very sorry I have many fond memories of Jill~growing up and later working w her at Roosevelt Elementary. She was such a beautiful light in this world with her smile and giggle. She will be remembered.
Casey, my deepest sympathy to you and your family on your loss. Incan only imagine how difficult of a time this is for you, your boys and your extended family. While I didn’t know Jill, she sounds like an amazing woman who will be greatly missed! It’s been a long time since we’ve connected, but your impact on my life as a coach carries with me to this day. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I am so deeply saddened to hear of Jill’s passing. My deepest condolences to the family and my hear especially goes out to her young sons and her husband Casey who I have known and admired for many years. The EC baseball family is with you in thoughts and prayers.
We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Casey and family in your loss of your dear wife Jill. Please know that we have you in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time. She was loved.
May she rest in peace.
Bruce & Cathy Werner
We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Casey and boys in your loss. She was loved. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Casey, Please accept my deepest condolences. Thinking of you and your family and praying for your peace and comfort.
Casey~I am so sorry to hear of Jill’s move to heaven. My mom also passed from GBM. I am familiar with the diagnosis and the days after after diagnosis. I am so sorry your dear, Jill, had to endure this. I pray you are able to find peace in the hours, days, months, and years ahead. My deepest condolences to you and your boys.
Casey, so sorry to learn of Jill’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. God Bless.
Casey, Please accept my deepest condolences for your loss. Wishing you strength and comfort through this difficult time.
We are so sorry for your loss. Our boys, Catcher, Canton, and Ceagan, all had the pleasure of having Jill for a teacher. As parents we knew they were in great hands. We will continue to keep your family in our prayers.
Jill was a wonderful student and athlete. Everything I saw and knew of Jill she did to her best. That including letting me know, when I had the good fortune to coach her, that “Mr. Walrath, there are other things in life beside track and field” when we had a discussion about how to handle prom week and practices.
It was so evident that Jill would be top of the line in whatever profession she chose. She was so fortunate to have Gloria, KC, Josh and Jennifer, the family I know. They all led by example for Jill.
Jill, thank you for allowing me to teach and coach you. I bet your grades will be the usual A+ and running in heaven will be perfect.
Casey, We are so sorry to hear about Jill. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the boys, Troy and Jodi
With deepest sympathy to the Eckardt and Cowan family
Lee Marks
So sorry to hear of the passing of Jill. She really sounded like a wonderful wife, mother, and person from her Obit. The Ryder’s grieve for you Casey and your sons. As Memorial HS baseball coach , you were so kind to our kids Sara & Dave during those years 1990-94. Sounds like Jill made so many positive impressions on her young students.
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