Eileen Louise (Ladenthin) Dreckman

Eileen Dreckman, 82, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2026, at her home surrounded by family after a brief fight with cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at All Saint Catholic Parish – St. James Church in Le Mars. Father Doug Klein will celebrate Mass. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Le Mars. Visitation with the family present will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, April 6, 2026, at Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. There will be a Catholic Daughters of the Americas Rosary at 3:45 pm and a Scriptural Prayer Service at 7:00 pm. Visitation will resume from 9:30 am until 10:15 am on Tuesday at the church. Arrangements are with the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com.

Eileen Louise Ladenthin, the daughter of Wally and Kay (Willer) Ladenthin, was born on May 9, 1943, in Kingsley, Iowa. She attended school in Kingsley before moving to Le Mars. She attended Le Mars Central High School.

She was united in marriage to Jerome Dreckman on October 26, 1963, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Struble, Iowa. They made their home in Le Mars where they raised 3 children. Eileen worked for various businesses, including Ruth's Café in Kingsley, Le Mars Fruit and Grocery, Bob's Drive-In as a car hop, Gibson Department Store, Pantry Café (with Ruth), and Pamida. Jerome worked for Walker's Ditching for 15 years. In 1977, they started their own business, Dreckman Excavating, Inc. Eileen was the bookkeeper for the business.

She was a longtime member of All Saints Catholic Parish in Le Mars. She was also a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas and volunteered with Meals on Wheels.

She loved animals and had two wonderful dogs, Snoopy and Buddy, and a cat named Squirt. She would sit for hours on her swing with neighborhood ferals she took care of. She also loved going for walks with her sister, Sandy, and sister-in-law, Charlene. Eileen enjoyed family time and making holidays special. She will be remembered for her infamous popcorn balls at Halloween.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Jerome of Le Mars, IA; her daughters, Kim (Gary) Gerrietts of Le Mars, IA, and Geri Dreckman (Lance Kramer) of Le Mars, IA; her son, Brett (Kristi) Dreckman of Le Mars, IA; her grandchildren, Michael Dreckman, Daniel Dreckman, Aaron Gengler, Travis Gengler, and Cameron Gengler; 5 great grandchildren; her sister, Sandy (Dave) Reuter of Le Mars, IA; her brother, David Ladenthin of Le Mars, IA; her in laws: Marlis (Wayne) Thieman, Mary Kay (Dick) Halter, Joel (Pat) Halter, Charlene Rowan, Donna Dreckman, and Lisa (Bob) Puetz; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wally and Kay Ladenthin; her father and mother in law, Milton and Charlotte Dreckman; her brother, Darvin Ladenthin and friend, Mary Singer; her in laws, Belinda Ladenthin, Dave Dreckman, Mike 'Sod' (Debbie) Dreckman, Karen (Dick) Gaffey, Lee Oordt, Donny Rowan, and Bob Wells; son in law, Melvin Gengler; her nephew, Jason Puetz; and her niece, Michelle (Ladenthin) Straumanis.