Alvin "Ace" Eckre

Alvin Charles Eckre, 97, of Wahpeton, passed away peacefully on August 2nd, 2025, in Wahpeton.

He was the oldest of three children, born to Carl and Ragnild (Ulsaker) Eckre. Ace was born on February 16, 1928, in Minot, ND. He spent the first 10 years on the family farm near Roseglen, ND, and attended a one-room schoolhouse through the 4th grade. His family then moved to a farm near Wyndmere, ND. Ace graduated as the Salutatorian from Wyndmere High School in 1946. He enrolled at the North Dakota State College of Science and received his Associate's Degree. Ace also graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor's Degree and earned two Master's Degrees from North Dakota State University.

At a square dance in Wahpeton, he met a young lady named Inez Hektner, daughter of Joseph and Mabel. They were engaged on Valentine's Day and married on August 12, 1950. Ace and Inez became active members of the Wahpeton community. Ace and Inez loved to travel, especially after he retired. They visited all 50 states, most countries in Western Europe and of course Norway, the land of their ancestors. Ace and Inez were proud of their Norwegian heritage. Also, after retirement, Ace and Inez could be seen walking and biking around Wahpeton every day possible.

He started working at NDSCS and was soon the Assistant Director of the Trade and Technical Division of the college. After 11 years as Assistant Director, President Bill Haverty appointed Ace as Assistant to the President and Director of Public Relations. The position included overseeing the development, publication, and distribution of all the college's advertising, the Agawasie yearbook, the Dakota Scientist college newspaper, the college catalog, handbook, department brochures and the Alumni Review newsletters. At the same time, he was manager of the college Bookstore and Director of the Student Center. In 1967, he was appointed to a newly created position as Director of Administrative Services. In his new position, he was still overseeing all the colleges public relations, but assumed new duties in working with federal aid projects, writing grants, all college building projects, and legislative affairs. He became Dr. Blikre's right hand man. Ace and President Blikre traveled together to all State Board of Higher Education meetings and all Legislative hearings and meetings. He also served 35 years as Executive Vice President of the NDSCS Alumni Association/Foundation. He was instrumental in the organization, operation and growth of the Foundation. Ace also wrote the grant that created the college's Academic Service Center and wrote the federal application that allowed the college's first building, Old Main, to be added to the National Register of Historical Places. In 1993, the NDSCS Foundation named him as Homecoming Parade Grand Marshall. Ace retired from NDSCS after 45 years.

Ace was offered the position as the first President of Lake Area Technical College, in Watertown SD. He never even applied for the job, but the South Dakota Board of Regents traveled to Wahpeton to try and convince him to take the position. It was a tempting offer, but he was very loyal to Science! He was also urged by the faculty at NDSCS to apply for the President position when Bill Havery retired, and also when Clair Blikre retired. When John Hoeven was Governor, he said Ace knew more about Trade and Technical education than anyone he had ever met.

Community involvement also played a major role in his life. He was a member of Rotary Club, Elks Club, Community Development Corporation (CDC), Bethel Lutheran Church since 1949, St. Catherine's advisory board, Leach Public Library Board, Fairview Cemetery Board, Chahinkapa Zoo Association, Twin Town Artist Series, and numerous memberships in the NDSCS 300 Club and Phi Beta Kappa.

An old saying says, "when someone dies, a whole book dies".  In the case of Ace, a whole encyclopedia of the history of NDSCS and the City of Wahpeton died.

Alvin was preceded in death by his wife, Inez (Hektner) Eckre, in 2023. They had four children; Susan (Steve) Rassier, Bruce Alvin Eckre, Debra (Mike) Shannon, and Brian (Wendy) Eckre. He had nine grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren (with two more on the way this year). Allison (Nick) Breyfogle, Chloe, Logan, Cecily; Nicole (Mike) Clark, Cooper Ace, Isaac, Hallie; Whitney (Austin) Muhl, Wyatt, Dawson, Westin; Matthew (Nichole) Shannon, Lincoln, Oliver; Mark (Leslie) Shannon, Brooke; Teresa (Jarid) Swenson, Aubrey, Ethan; David (Gita) Eckre, Theodora; Jason (Amanda) Eckre, Liara; and Kevin (Lori) Eckre, Ainsley, Ashlyn.

Alvin is survived by his brother Kenneth (Margie) Eckre. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Glennis (Ione), brothers-in-law, Vernon (Leona) Hektner and Donald (Ann) Hektner; sisters-in-law, Sylvia (Carl) Likness and Jeannette (Marcus) Radig.

Memorials in Ace's name are preferred to Fairview Cemetery or Bethel Lutheran Church. Condolences and memories may be shared to the Vertin Munson Funeral Home obituary listing.

A family only graveside service for Ace will be held at a later date.