Frances Mary “Fran” Muszik Eckenrode

Feb 24, 1919 - Sep 22, 2009

Frances Mary Muszik Eckenrode, 90, of Harrisburg, PA passed away Tuesday, September 22, in Holy Spirit Hospital following a brief illness.

Mrs. Eckenrode grew up in South Bend, Indiana. She was a graduate of Central High School and Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as a registered nurse until she was married in 1944 to Edward Relt Eckenrode Jr. ("Bud") who had been a student at the University of Notre Dame. At the end of Bud's deployment in the Navy in World War II, the couple moved to Bud's hometown of Harrisburg, where Frances established their home and gave birth to five children over a span of 20 years. She and her husband maintained strong ties to family in South Bend and to Notre Dame, making annual trips during football season.

Frances will always be remembered for her lively spirit and seemingly unlimited energy, her generosity, her Catholic faith, and commitment to family.

She was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Edward, two sisters, Helen (Las Vegas) and Theresa (South Bend), and a brother Julius (South Bend). Her survivors include a brother, Paul of South Bend, a daughter, Nance E. Gaston of Harrisburg, four sons, Edward, Jr., of Yellow Springs, Ohio, John, of Ithaca New York, Robert, of Aliso Viejo, California, and Andrew, of Indian Harbour, Florida, ten grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held 10:00 AM followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM Saturday, September 26, 2009 in St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church, 4000 Derry St., Harrisburg. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to the Tri-County Association for the Blind, American Cancer Society, or a charity of your choice.

Source: FindAGrave.com

11/19/2025 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/42317747/frances_mary-eckenrode