James “Jim” Willard Eckman, 90, went home to his Savior on September 14, 2026. He chose to discontinue dialysis after developing debilitating pneumonia. He died in his home with his wife and children by his side. He was a life-long resident of Moose Lake.

Jim was a “surprise” twin, born 15 minutes after his brother and best friend, Charles, to Harry and Eva Eckman on February 29, 1936, on the family farm. He spent his childhood helping on the farm and developing a love for the outdoors alongside neighboring friends. Finding purpose in every season, he began hunting and fishing at a young age and played on the first hockey teams at Moose Lake High School.

Jim graduated from Moose Lake High School in 1954 and worked in several local auto garages. Following the untimely death of his father, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1957. There, he learned his lifelong trade of operating heavy equipment while building combat landing strips in Germany, Austria, and Norway. After receiving an honorable discharge, Jim returned home and joined the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 49, remaining a proud member for 66 years. Throughout his career, he worked in Montana and for several companies across Minnesota.

In 1962, he met the love of his life, Donna Harvey, while she was completing a nursing rotation in town. They were married for 62 years, making their home in Moose Lake and raising three daughters: Jacqueline, Jane, and Jennifer.

Jim was a man for all seasons. He enjoyed winter and summer fishing, bow and rifle hunting, snowmobiling, camping, and riding his side-by-side with Donna. An avid dirt track and NASCAR fan, he spent many evenings at Proctor, Superior, and Cedar Lake raceways. He also took great pride in his vegetable gardens, where harvesting was his domain and preserving was Donna’s.

Jim had a tremendous gift for community service, whether plowing church parking lots or serving as a charter member of the local food shelf and the Moose Lake Snowmobile Club. He was known for his warm smile, gift of gab and generosity.

He will be dearly missed and remembered by many, including his wife, Donna Eckman of Moose Lake; daughters Jackie (Don) Heying of Moose Lake, Jane (Chris) Miller of Nashville, TN, and Jennifer (Jason) Johnson of Moose Lake; seven grandchildren: Kari (Drew) Council, Drew (Janelle) Heying, Joseph Miller, Adele Miller, Jerome Miller, Owen Johnson, and Evelyn Johnson; five great-grandchildren: Ada, Holden, Emery, Conner, and Natilynn; sister Grace Mapes; sister in law Shirley Eckman; as well as several nieces, nephews, and many close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Eva Eckman; twin brother, Charles Eckman; sister, Beverly Kuross; infant twin sisters, Phyllis and Francille Eckman; brother-in-law, Gary Mapes; nephew, Peter Kuross; brother- and sister-in-law, Vic and Carol Belanger; and nephew, Scott Belanger.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 1-4 pm at Moose Lake Covenant Church gymnasium.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Fresenius Kidney Care of Cloquet, MN, American Legion Post 379 of Moose Lake, the Moose Lake Food Shelf, or the Hope Lutheran Church of Moose Lake Endowment Fund.

The family wishes to thank St. Croix Hospice for their compassion and assistance in fulfilling Jim's final wish to be in his home at the time of his passing.

Arrangements by Hamlin-Hansen-Kosloski Funeral Home, Moose Lake.