Leota Eich

Leota Caroline Eich, 93, passed away on May 23, 2017 at Silvercrest at the Woodlands in Clive, Iowa.

Leota's wishes were to be cremated. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 27, 2017, at St. John's Catholic Church in Ogden. Father James Bruch will officiate. Burial will be in St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Ogden. Visitation will be Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. until time of the service at the church. For online obituaries and condolences please visit: www.carsonstappfuneralhome.com

Leota was born on December 17, 1923 in Mt. Carmel, Iowa to Frank and Emma Steinkamp. The family moved to their Arcadia, Iowa farm in 1929. She married Harold Eich on November 3, 1953 at St. John's Catholic Church in Arcadia. Leota and Harold had met at a dance and she recalled fondly every opportunity to dance throughout their 54 years of marriage. They resided in Manning and Denison before establishing their permanent residence in Ogden in 1962 where she lived until moving to the Woodlands in 2014. Leota was a member of St. John's Catholic Church in Ogden where she was a member of the St. John's Altar and Rosary Society.

Leota, who those close to her affectionately referred to as Odie, raised two boys and three girls. Odie was a fixture at Ohlson/Swanson Drug in Ogden for nearly 40 years and enjoyed her many friendships throughout the community. Faith, family, and friends were the foundation of her life. A lifelong card player, she loved games of rummy with her grandchildren and especially relished winning their quarters. A meticulous cleaner, Odie could be found sweeping the sidewalk as frequently as she would vacuum the carpet.

Leota is survived by her son Randy and his wife Michele of Ogden, with children Nolan and Drew; son Terry and his wife Jenny of Overland Park, KS, with children Jamie (Drew Van Scyoc and son Parker), Kelly, and Kacie; daughter Kristy Whigham and her husband Lyle of Phoenix, AZ, with children Cory (Morgan), Carrie, and Connor; daughter Mary Jensen and her husband Jeff of West Des Moines, IA, with child Travis; daughter Paula Olson and her husband Randy of West Des Moines, IA, with children Marissa and Trevor; sisters Virginia Wernimont of Atlantic, IA, and Neva Whitaker of Orange, CA; nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Harold in 2007, sister Cleone Evers, brothers Merlin, Ray, Melvin and Lorne Steinkamp, granddaughter Caroline Whigham, and grandson Mickey Eich.

The family offers a heartfelt thank you to the staff of the Woodlands Retirement Community and Unity Point Hospice for their care and support during Leota's final days.

Memorial contributions may be made to Unity Point Hospice, Ogden Booster Club or the charity of your choice.