Patricia Lu Eckart

Patricia Lu (Steen) Eckart, 90, of Olathe Kansas passed away quietly surrounded by her family on March 21, 2025. She was born on February 8, 1935 in Westboro, Missouri to Russel G. Steen and Mary Elizabeth Patton Steen. She was an only child.

Pat grew up in Lawrence, Kansas. She attended the University of Kansas for two years prior to being accepted into the first class of Barnes Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated in 1958 with honors. While in nursing school, she met the love of her life, Bob Eckart. Pat and Bob shared almost 70 years together and were married for 66 years. They lived in Minnesota, California, Texas, Michigan, Arkansas and Kansas. Together they raised three children, two sons and one daughter: Rick Eckart (Teresa) of Placentia, California, Mike Eckart (Rhonda) of Yreka, California and Pam Foerster (Steve) of Overland Park, Kansas. They were blessed with six grandchildren and six great grandchildren: Jason Gunn (Katie) and children Hailey, Kolton and Ainsley of Weed, California, Kyle Eckart (Erin), daughters Millie and Veda of Rockledge, Florida, Ryan Eckart of Boise, Idaho, Andrew Foerster of Kansas City, Missouri, Ben Foerster (Ava) of Chicago Illinois, Eric Foerster (Mikayla) and son Soren of Prior Lake, Minnesota. Pat was extremely proud of all her grandkids and great grandchildren.

Pat’s faith was demonstrated every day of her life. She showed her love of Jesus and her church by participating in daily devotions, prayer circles, bible studies and volunteering. She loved people and was always making dear friends. She never met a stranger.

Pat’s nursing career spanned many disciplines. She was a staff nurse in the operating room, a dermatology office nurse manager, a director of nursing for several skilled nursing homes and finally a discharge planning manager for a community hospital in southern California. In retirement, her compassionate heart and love of helping others found her as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer, working a homeless shelter in Texas, starting a parish nurse program in Michigan and serving on the board of directors for Village House Adult Day Care in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Pat traveled with Bob in their RV while Bob worked on church build projects and she would serve as the “camp” nurse.

Pat was a member of a committee that built a 10-bed free-standing Hospice care facility in California. It was only the second such facility to be built in the nation. Her life came full circle as Pat ended her earthly journey at the Olathe Hospice House.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Olathe Hospice House for their wonderful care along with all of her family and friends for all their love and support throughout her life.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00am on Friday, May 23, 2025, at Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, Kansas 66212. The service will be preceded by a visitation at 10:00am.

The service will be live streamed at https://www.youtube.com/@ALC-OPKS.

Donations to honor Pat’s life can be made to:

Olathe Hospice House
15310 S Marion St.
Olathe, KS 66061

Atonement Lutheran Church
9948 Metcalf Ave.
Overland Park, Kansas 66212

Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation Elizabeth McIntosh Scholarship Fund
Attn: Eric Barkley, Suite 140
1001 Highlands Plaza Drive West
St. Louis, Missouri 63110

To leave a special message for her family or to share a memory of Pat, please visit the guestbook below.