Jacob Allan Eckenrode

Jake was born in Bismarck, ND, on June 16, 1952 to Louise (Bieber) Eckenrode and Archie Eckenrode. Jake graduated from Hazen High School, Hazen ND in 1970, then attended Bismarck State College for a short time before enlisting in the Army National Guard. He served 8 years as squad leader earning the rank of Staff Sergeant. During that time he trained fellow guardsmen and received a Meritorious Service Metal for saving a young girl’s life.

He was married to LaDonna (Dschaak) Eckenrode for 20 years. They had two children, Dean and Kristy Eckenrode.

Throughout his career, Jake was a lineman for West River Telephone in Hazen, ND, a welder/fabricator for a coal mine in Wyoming and was the regional manager for three recycling plants for the City of Phoenix, AZ until his retirement in 2019.

Jake had a friendly, quick-witted personality and loved to tell stories and make people laugh. He loved to travel to North Dakota and Wyoming to visit family, go fishing and take drives in the mountains. He also developed a talent and passion for painting beautiful landscapes.

Jake is survived by his daughter Kristy, daughter-in-law Tami and granddaughter Katelyn, all of Phoenix; sisters Shirley Eckenrode of Bismarck ND and Irene (Clayton) Beckman of Hazen, ND, brother David (Sandy) Eckenrode of Bismarck ND, brothers-in-law Melvin Clemens of Sheridan, WY and Kurt Milbradt of Hazen, ND, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Jake is preceded in death by his parents, his son Dean, and sisters Linda Clemens and Sheila Milbradt.

The Celebration of Life was held on April 8th in Scottsdale, AZ. Interment will be held on April 11th at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona with Pastor Michael Smith officiating.