- Date Of Birth: September 5, 1922
- Date Of Death: July 9, 2019
- State: New Mexico
Tenna Ellen Eckert was born on September 5, 1922, in Fayetteville, AR, of Herbert Irvin Marrs and Omer McMillian Marrs. Her family moved to Clayton, NM where her sisters, Ruth and Mildred, and her brother, Mack, were born. This was during the dust bowl and the great depression and her family raised livestock and farmed. They moved to Reserve and then Albuquerque where they opened the Marrs Riding Academy and later the Marrs Saddle Shop. Her first niece, Teena, was born in 1947 and was named after her, so from that point forward the family called her Ellen.
Ellen graduated from high school and then went to Cosmetology school. She worked at Linda’s Beauty Salon whose owner introduced her to William (Bill) Eckert. They were married in Albuquerque on July 25, 1956.
Shortly thereafter, they opened Eckert’s Automotive and Ellen started working in the office. She continued to work until they retired. Ellen and Bill, in addition to running their business, enjoyed their cabin near the Pecos wilderness in the summer and snowmobiling during the winter at their cabin in Platoro, CO. Bill was a Shriner, and they loved to attend the many events.
Ellen and Bill were not able to have children, but Ellen became very close with her nieces and nephews, Teena, Sherry, Lynn, Wendy and Mike; and great nieces and nephews, Amanda, Miles,Craig, Missy, Michael (Mick), Jessy, Caitlin, Jenn and Tammy. Michael and Jessy lived with Ellen since they were in elementary school. They were very important to her and filled her remaining life with joy. Ellen was an active member of Eastern Hills Baptist Church and loved going on the planned bus trips.
Ellen was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, aunt and great-aunt, and will be missed very much!
