Roxie Marie Eccher, 69, longtime Walsenburg businesswoman, died Thursday, November 7, 2013 at Sangre de Cristo Palliative Care in Pueblo. Born April 1, 1944 to Peter F. and Bessie Eccher, she was preceded in death by her parents as well as siblings, Josephine Sperandio, Raymond and Fred Eccher.
Roxie is survived by nieces Cheryl (Dr. Rick) Santi, Sharon (Lou) Marcon, Val Marie (Chris) Hunter, Mary Frances (Chance) Nicks; nephews Fred (Pat) Eccher, Ronald (Deidre) Eccher, Jim Eccher, Bruce (Nicole) Eccher, Ron (Karen) Eccher, and Ray (Dana) Eccher and their families, as well as numerous cousins and friends.
Roxie attended St. Mary’s School, graduating in 1962. Thereafter, she entered the Order of Sisters of St. Benedict of Atchison, Kansas, taking the name of Sister Natalie.
She left the order to return to Walsenburg to help her ailing mother with her store, Eccher’s Clothing, and to become involved with family real estate ventures. She attended Blair Business College in Colorado Springs.
Upon her return to Walsenburg where she was happiest, she took a position with the city, becoming the only female working at the Walsenburg police department. She worked as a meter maid and was called upon to supervise female inmates in the jail. After twenty years , she retired from service to the city to became a successful businesswoman in her own right, investing in houses, apartments and commercial buildings and providing affordable housing for generations of families.
Roxie was a member of the local Eagles lodge and the Spanish Peaks Hospital Auxiliary and enjoyed organizing the Bronco Billy’s bus to Cripple Creek. She was a life-long member of St. Mary Catholic Church.
Roxie had the cutest kind of mischeivous, playful look to her smile, with a twinkle in her bright, beautiful green eyes and the best laugh ever. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.
A Rosary and funeral Mass were held on Monday, November 11th at St. Mary Church in Walsenburg with graveside services at South St. Mary Cemetery. Boies-Ortega was in charge of arrangements.
At the family’s request, memorials may be given to Sister Carol’s St. Mary Senior Outreach Program, Walsenburg Eagles Lodge, or Sangre de Cristo Hospice and Palliative Care of Pueblo.
