Arlene Echternach

Arlene L. Echternach, 94, a 62-year resident of Crystal Lake, passed away November 27, 2010, at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington. She was born near Harvard, March 17, 1916, to Frank and Lena (nee Eickstaedt) Lembcke. Arlene's ambition was to be a teacher and teaching became a life-long career. In June of 1935 she graduated from the 2-year teaching program at Northern Illinois State Normal School (now Northern Illinois University). In the fall she began her career, teaching first through eighth grades for three years at Anthony Eickstaedt school, a one-room school south of Marengo. On July 11, 1938, in Harvard, she married Harold P. Echternach. They settled in Kewanee, where she taught as a substitute until Harold entered WWII. After Harold returned, they moved to Crystal Lake, where, in 1954, Arlene resumed her teaching career, now in School District 47. In 1962 she received her B.S. in Education from Northern Illinois University. She retired in 1982. Arlene loved teaching. Most of her career was spent teaching first grade. She loved children and was devoted to seeing them off to a good start on their education. One summer she even tutored, without pay, a student who struggled in her first-grade class so that he would be ready to succeed in second grade. Professionally, she was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, an education honor society, and Illinois Retired Teachers Association. She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church for 62 years, where she was active in Friendship Guild and Club 60. Survivors include her children, Harold "Stephen" Echternach of South Elgin, and Jean (James) Boyle of Downers Grove; two grandchildren, Heather (Russell) Lee of Lake Forest, CA, and Adam (Jessica) Boyle of Allendale, NJ; two great-grandchildren, Elsa and Lanna Lee; a brother-in-law, William Blake; a niece, Helen Breitenfeld, whom she cared for as a child; and many other loving nieces, a nephew, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold P. Echternach; her parents; sisters Mabel Beilke, Blanche Peterson, Lucy Blake, and Ruby Lembcke; brothers Frank and Frederick Lembcke; and a niece, Marilyn Beilke. Visitation will be begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 4, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 178 W. McHenry Avenue, Crystal Lake, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., with Pastor Dr. Larry Tieman officiating. A luncheon will be provided at The Pointe, followed by interment at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Harvard. Memorials in Arlene Echternach's name may be made to Mayo Clinic, Dept. of Development for Surgical Education, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905 or to Crystal Lake Public Library Foundation Audio Book Collection, 126 W. Paddock St., Crystal Lake, IL 60014.

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