Dennis Eckroth, 74, of Bismarck, passed away on Nov. 29, 2023 in a Bismarck Care Center. Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 11:00 a.m. at the Bismarck Funeral Home. Burial will be held at Mandan Union Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Monday from 5-8 p.m. at the Bismarck Funeral Home and continue one hour prior to the service.
Dennis was born on January 5th, 1949 in Mandan, North Dakota to Alexander and Judy (Hoffman) Eckroth. On May 18th, 1973, Dennis married Rhonda Warren. They had three children- Heidi, Eric, and Lacey. He went to school in Wahpeton to become a sheet metal worker and was a longtime union member. Dennis retired from Burleigh County Housing Authority in 2016.
Dennis enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandkids. His grandkids loved his wheelbarrow rides. He gave them horse rides, where he was the horse with Grandma Rhonda standing by to help with anyone bucked off Grandpa. He would also squeeze in and play right beside them in their forts. He loved kids! Even after his disease progressed, he always had a great big smile for the kids every time they visited him. Dennis enjoyed his garden and teaching the grandkids about gardening. The grandkids always wanted to check if any tomatoes, cucumbers and sweet peas were ready to eat. He taught them how to water the garden and would always start water fights with them.
Dennis had many hobbies. He loved being outdoors and spent a lot of time camping, hunting, fishing, and canoeing. His favorite place to hunt was in the Badlands. Many of his hunting and fishing adventures included his family and his best friend, Dennis (Joe) Wannemacher. He was a very good cook and we all looked forward to his fish fry’s, onion rings and barbeque ribs. Many rounds of pinochle were played and lots of money lost! He did most of these hobbies barefoot. He had feet of steel! He drove in multiple derby cars over the years and also raced at the Bismarck Speedway with the orange Country Auto Clinic car. He made homemade sausage with his family and friends, an annual tradition that his kids continued.
Dennis loved to entertain. He hosted parties for any reason. Kids were always welcome and he included them by giving them root beer in their own shot glass. His many varieties of homemade redeye were requested frequently. As a loyal Mandan Moose member of 50 years, he was often found volunteering and visiting.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Rhonda Eckroth, and his children along with their spouses: Heidi (Jason) Mildenberger, Eric (Janel) Eckroth, and Lacey (Sam) Mettler, along with 7 grandchildren: Madison and Riley Mildenberger; Alexander, Nicholas and Olivia Eckroth; and Harper and Gabriella Mettler. He is also survived by his siblings and their spouses: Rod (Ellen) Eckroth and Pam (Sid) Schroeder. As well as many extended family members and numerous friends.
He is preceded in death by his mother Julia (Judy) Eckroth, his father Alexander Eckroth and his step-father Jack (Jake) Eckroth along with his in-laws Del and Bernice Warren.