April 6, 1941 — January 24, 2026
A Celebration of Life Service for Gertrude Darlene "Grammy" Eckstein age 84 of Enid will be 2:00 PM Friday, January 30, 2026 at Emmanuel Enid with Rev. Shonn Keels officiating. The family will have a visitation prior to the service starting at Noon at Emmanuel Enid. A private family burial will be in the Memorial Park Cemetery after the service under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.
Darlene was born April 6, 1941 in Enid to Gertrude & Bonney Niles and passed away at Canoe Brook Assisted Living in Catoosa, OK on Saturday, January 24, 2026 surrounded by family. She graduated from Hillsdale High School in 1959 and just 3 years later graduated from Oklahoma State University. She married the love of her life Ted Eckstein on August 18, 1962 in Oklahoma City. She began her career as an English teacher and later chose to become a full-time homemaker while living in Wichita, KS and Clinton, IA before making their permanent home in Enid to raise their boys in 1968. In 1988, she worked alongside Ted in their family business, Eckstein & Co., until their retirement in 2007. Darlene was a member of Emmanuel Enid.
Darlene loved the game of baseball and her Oklahoma State Cowboys & Cowgirls, but there was nothing that she enjoyed more than watching her boys and grandchildren play their sports. If there was a game being played the boys could always count on one or both of them being in the stands! Darlene and Ted were very active in volunteering at David Allen Memorial Ballpark from its construction to helping at the NJCAA World Series. The last few years together they enjoyed attending games in Enid and at Oklahoma State.
Darlene is survived by three sons; Barry Eckstein, Andy and wife Diane Eckstein all of Tulsa, Casey and wife Angie Eckstein of Enid, her pride and joy grandchildren; Craig, Mia, Blaze, Emma, Grant, and Chase and several other family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, three brothers, parents, and grandparents.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or David Allen Memorial Ballpark with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodians of the funds.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.LadusauEvans.com. Ladusau-Evans has been serving the families of the Enid Community and surrounding areas for over 40 years with compassionate service and dedication. They provide families with an open door policy. Feel free to contact them 24 hours a day. Visitation Hours: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm daily, 2800 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-1400.
