Surrounded by her family, Jane Barbara EICKSTADT (nee Hawkins) peacefully joined her loved ones and her heavenly father Wednesday morning, the nineteenth of June 2024, at the age of 93. Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, wife, and friend, she truly lived life to the fullest.
Jane was born on January 10, 1931, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the second of three children, to John and Lavina Hawkins. She made her way out west to Eugene, Oregon before settling in Spokane, Washington, where she met Carl Eickstadt. They were married on June 2, 1951, and their union lasted nearly 50 years until Carl’s passing in 2001. Together, Jane and Carl raised four beautiful children, Barbara (Bruce), Clifford (Andrea), Denise (Sam) and Jody. Jody preceded his mother in death in 2017.
She worked in food service at multiple locations and then went to work with the food service crew of St. Joseph’s for the school lunch program. She was a baseball coach for the girls’ team. Jane finished her career at Spokane Fall Community College as an administrative professional in admissions. There is no doubt that Jane’s work in service resulted in her nurturing and giving heart—and she gave without restraint.
She was a lifelong member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) and ascended the ranks eventually serving as Madame President of Aerie 2 (1996-97). She later went on to serve at the Washington State level of the FOE. Family members recall summers spent at West Medical Lake for the annual FOE summer picnic and outdoor bingo.
Jane and Carl both loved to travel. The couple travelled to Germany to visit Denise (Sam) and their two boys (Sammy and Shaun) to visit the town of Carl’s namesake. Jane was an avid road tripper. After Carl’s passing, she continued to travel. She went to Austin, Texas and visited Cliff and Andrea. Jane enjoyed fifteen more years of trips with her daughters and granddaughters to Penticton, British Columbia for the annual Elvis Festival. Jane never ceased—she travelled from Hawaii to Florida and all across the United States.
She is survived at her home by her niece and nephew-in-law, Aimee and Larry. Jane is also survived by ten grandchildren, twenty four great grandchildren and countless others that are lucky to have called her a friend.
Please join us on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 10:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1503 W. Dean, Spokane, WA, for her funeral mass.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Spokane Human Society or the Wounded Warriors Project.
