Luana P. Eckersell

To watch the broadcast of Luana's service click on the following link: https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/65611

On Monday, December 13, 2021, our mother, Luana Poole Eckersell joined her eternal sweetheart. We have had a lifetime of love from her dedication to our family and have been blessed by her teachings and example.

Luana was born August 9, 1928 in Idaho Falls, Idaho to Walter Ellsworth and Dora Elizabeth Rounds Poole. She attended schools in Rigby, Idaho, graduating from Rigby High School and then attended Brigham Young University. She was a loving daughter, and a joyful sister who would laugh with her sister Coleen and tolerate her big brother, Eldon’s teasing. Throughout her life, she valued time with extended family as they picnicked, swam, picked huckleberries and gathered for special occasions.

Luana married Bruce A. Eckersell on May 18, 1949 in the Idaho Falls Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They made their home in Rigby, Idaho, settling their family on Tall Avenue. Together they taught their children to serve and love the Lord. Luana was a devoted and loving wife and mother, filling her life with joy as she sewed, cooked, and worked in the house and yard making everything beautiful. She loved to have guests so that she could fuss over them, and the Eckersell home often blazed with light late into the night.

Mom taught from her many talents, opportunities and life experiences. She was musically talented, playing the clarinet, oboe and other instruments in the high school band. However, her beautiful singing voice was the gift she enjoyed and shared most often. She performed as a soloist and sang with friends in duets and trios and was a member of the Chansonettes Women's choir for many years. We children and grandchildren were given “volun-n-told” opportunities to participate in the performances, often playing parts or singing in church or concerts. Mom also cherished her time in the Rigby Study Club and looked forward to meeting with her friends, to plan and carry out the activities, especially the Senior Tea. Our mother valued her friends and worked to keep them and her family close; she had great love for all she knew.

The gospel of Jesus Christ was the center of Luana's life. She loved to serve and help others and taught her family to so do. She was an example of dedication as she fulfilled numerous church callings and assignments. She supported her children in their educations and callings, often helping with talks and listening with an open heart as gospel topics were discussed. She joined her children as a missionary when she served with her husband Bruce in the Singapore Mission. It encompassed Singapore, India and Malaysia. This was a challenging assignment for her as she left her family behind, but she also saw the blessings of her service to her brothers and sisters in India and Malaysia. It was a time where she and dad grew in their marriage and love for each other. On their return, they were called to work in the Idaho Falls Temple where they gave many years of service in love for the Lord.

Luana's home was always full of family and music. In the struggle of her last days, music was prevalent and soothing to her. If it wasn't playing from her music system, it was being sung by her daughters and granddaughters as they walked with her and sat enjoying her company. We are grateful for our sister Paula and her daughters Adrianne and Lerin for dedicating their time to love and care for our sweet mother. Our hearts are full for their love and devotion.

Thanks to our parents, we have a large family. Luana is survived by her children: Paula Johnson Rigby, Idaho; Shauna (Glen) Bennett of Rigby, Idaho; Laine (Vicki) Eckersell of Rigby, Idaho; Lisa (Donald) Eckersell-Williams of Marysville, Washington; Clair (Vicki) Eckersell of Rigby, Idaho; and Terry (Shauna) Eckersell of Rigby, Idaho. Her loving sister, Coleen (R Kay) Poulsen of St. George, Utah; 27 grandchildren, 51 great grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Luana has reunited with her loving husband, Bruce A. Eckersell; her parents, Walt and Dora Poole; her brother, Eldon; a grandson, Patrick Johnson; and two granddaughters, Summer and Amber Eckersell.

Services for Luana will be held Monday, December 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM in the Rigby LDS Stake Center: 258 West 2nd North, Rigby, Idaho. A reception with friends will be held Sunday, December 19, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Eckersell Funeral Home: 101 West Main Street, Rigby, Idaho. Interment for Luana will be next to Bruce in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery.

We are very grateful to Dr. Bryan Hammar and hospice nurses and staff for the tender care they gave our mother.

We love our friends and are grateful for their concern for mom. Thank you for your calls and messages of love and condolence after her passing. We have felt your love and prayers.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my

yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest

unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light  Matthew 11: 28-30.