Helen “Penny” (Eckrich) Dobratz, 98, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on November 12, 2022.
Penny was born October 16, 1924, in Missouri Valley, Iowa. Penny had 3 sisters and one brother. Her parents, Leo and Rosa Eckrich farmed near Missouri Valley, Iowa. Penny graduated from Missouri Valley High School and then earned her nursing degree from Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in 1945. Penny’s nursing career extended to Iowa, California, Minnesota and South Dakota including Mckennan Hospital. During World War II, Penny served is a cadet nurse at Schick General Army Hospital in Clinton, Iowa, where she met and cared for POW, Lloyd Dobratz, who was returned to Schick to heal from his injuries upon his liberation from a German stalag where he was kept after his capture at the Battle of the Bulge. Penny and Lloyd married June 12, 1949, at Missouri Valley, Iowa.
Penny and Lloyd relocated several times over the next few years as Lloyd finished his master’s degree in Minnesota and returned to South Dakota to begin his 35-year career in education and coaching. After settling in South Dakota, Penny and Lloyd had two children, Patty and Terry. Penny left nursing and was a homemaker supporting Lloyd’s career and caring for the children during the long days and nights when Lloyd was teaching, coaching and later serving as principal of Lincoln High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Penny was active in her church and became a great cook whose recipes were often requested by others, even after she was in her 90’s.
After Lloyd’s retirement, Penny and Lloyd moved to Mesa, Arizona, where she and Lloyd enjoyed many years with an abundance of friends and close family. Though Penny was surrounded by great athletes in the family, she made her own mark by getting a hole-in-one during one of her frequent golf games that she enjoyed well into her 80’s.
Penny was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and her loving husband, Lloyd, who cherished her always. Her family and friends will miss her generous, patient spirit and her delight and love for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Grateful for sharing her life is her daughter, Patty Dobratz (Jeff Fletcher), San Diego, CA; son, Terry Dobratz (Joni), Mesa, AZ; granddaughters, Kelsey Berry (Jon), Queen Creek, AZ; Carly Dobratz (David Towne), Gilbert, AZ; and five great-granddaughters; Kenzie, Kenna, Oakley, Waylon, and Dakota.
Mountain View Funeral Home is handling arrangements; interment will be at the National memorial Cemetery of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ.