Kay Marie Eckenberg was called home to be with our Lord and Savior on May 26th, 2020. She spent her final days at Parkview Estates, Kennewick, WA, surrounded in love by her adoring family.

Kay was born on July 18, 1937 in Anacortes WA to Verne and Mildred [Swindeck] Gubrud. She was their second child, joining her older brother John (Jack) Gubrud.

Kay grew up in Mount Vernon, WA. She was a social, outgoing lover of life. Kay was raised in the Holy Catholic Church; she was a true believer in Christ and her faith was a sustaining force throughout her lifetime. Kay learned about hard work and good ethics from her parents at a young age, picking berries and working other jobs while growing up in the Mt. Vernon area. She had a lifelong love of dancing, ranging from ballet to jitterbugging, and enjoyed all genres of music. She played the piano and became an accomplish seamstress.

Kay graduated in 1955 from Mt. Vernon High School and briefly attended college before returning to Skagit County where she met the love of her life, Eddie Eckenberg. They married December 01, 1956.

Soon, after exchanging their vows, Eddie joined the U.S Army and the couple was stationed in El Paso, TX, where Kay had their first child, Debra Kay. After a time in Texas, the couple was transferred to Camp Hanford, WA, where they had their second child, Steven Eddie.

After Eddie’s service in the Army, he worked for GE in the Hanford area. At this time Kay and Eddie bought their first home in Badger Canyon, a 35 acre farm of rocks and sagebrush to raise a growing family on. It is there that Kay and Eddie had their third and fourth children, James Verne and Robert Charles. In Badger, Kay cared for the home, the children and the farm with no phone and only one car that Eddie used to get to work. Eventually, after years of struggling to balance Eddie’s job, farming and a growing family, Kay told Eddie to choose two of three options; the marriage, the job, or the farm. Eddie had been bitten by the farming bug, therefore, he chose the family and farming became their full time occupation, growing 500 acers of alfalfa and purchasing their first mobile cuber.

In 1976 Kay agreed to support Eddie’s dream of growing the farm further. They sold the Badger Canyon farm and purchased land in Mattawa, WA, the last place on earth Kay wanted to move to but became a treasured homestead. They also bought a second mobile cuber, and eventually built stationary cubers. Kay, alongside, her husband, Eddie, founded Eckenberg Farms, Inc., a world leader in export forages, since 1963. The family business, including the third generation, continues to operate, in Mattawa, today.

Kay was a business owner, professional volunteer, mediator, cook, and “Mom” to all. In 1987 Kay was active in establishing Our Lady of the Desert Parish, in Mattawa. In 1999 Eddie and Kay served as the President and First Lady of the National Hay Association, one of the highlights of their lives. In 2000, Eddie went into semi-retirement; he and Kay purchased a home in Palm Desert, CA, enjoying the warm winters, sunshine and reconnecting with the Catholic Church through Father Lincoln. Kay and Eddie enjoyed traveling the United States, especially going to Las Vegas, for the shows, gambling, and great meals.

Kay and Eddie are survived by their children, Debra (Randy) Ness; Steven (Starlet), James (Janet), and Robert (Andrea) Eckenberg. Her family grew to 12 Grandchildren and 20 Great-Grandchildren, which Kay loved and adored. She was very proud of her family and it has been quite a ride.

Because of the Governor’s guidelines due to Covid -19, there will be a private service for Kay at the beautiful grounds of Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland, WA.

Please send a contribution, in Kay’s memory, to these three charities if you wish:
The Boy & Girls Club, Arthritis Foundation or St. Jude.