Wesley Earl Eckert

Wesley Earl Eckert

January 16,1935 – January 11, 2021

Our beloved father, grandfather and great grandfather passed away on January 11, 2021. Wes was 85.

Wes was born in Foreston, MN on January 16, 1935 to Virgil and Lillian Eckert. When he was just 4 months old, his family moved to Palmer, AK as part of the “Colonists” that pioneered in the Matanuska Valley. He graduated from Palmer High School in 1952 and from Washington State College in 1957. He then served 2 years in the Army at Fort Ord. During this time, Wes met Joanne Cogley. They married in 1957. Joanne and Wes enjoyed 59 years of marriage until her passing in 2016. Wes started his career at Darigold in Ellensburg, WA in 1959. In 1968 Wes, Joanne and their 3 sons moved to the Philippines for 6 years, where Wes managed Darigold’s only overseas canned milk production facility. Wes worked for Darigold until 1998. He retired as CEO.

Wes kept very active in retirement with his beloved cabin in Peshastin, (which he named “Matanuska”) church, travel, fishing trips and spending time with friends and family.

Wes is predeceased by his parents, and his sister, Gayle Rowland of Palmer, AK. He is survived by brother, Wayne (Shari); sons, Kipp (Tami), Kyle (Lilly) and Keefe, 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

The family spread Wes’ ashes in a private ceremony in the Matanuska Valley in the spring of 2021.