Eileen DeKrey

Eileen DeKrey, 95, Bismarck, passed away peacefully Friday, March 22^nd, 2024 surrounded by loving family. She is now with God. Eileen touched many hearts through her kindness, humor, generosity, and victorious spirit. 

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 6th at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyer Parkway, Bismarck. 

Eileen Eleanor Wyngarden was born to Leonard Wyngarden and Lydia (Netzke) Wyngarden on February 14^th, 1929 at the family farm near Pettibone, ND. Eileen was the third of four children. She attended a one-room country school for grades 1-8 and graduated from Pettibone High School. Horses were a big part of her life, and she was an excellent rider. She graduated from Jamestown College with a teaching degree, and then taught elementary school in Powell, WY for three years. She always had a sense of adventure.

On September 7, 1952, Eileen married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, Warren DeKrey. Together they built a strong family and life. They had five children, nine grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren who she loved and enjoyed so much. And the feelings were mutual! Her baking, big meals, and holiday celebrations were treasured.

Tough times shape people. Eileen grew up in the Great Depression and the rough conditions shaped her into a strong, feisty loving lady who knew that the secret to true happiness was not in possessions, but in faith and family.  She delighted in getting together with family and friends. 

Our Mom loved God with all her heart and modeled that to everyone. She had a wonderful sense of humor…many was the time we’d say “Mom, what are you laughing about?” She found a light-hearted way of seeing so much good in life.  She knew how to make “lemonade out of lemons” in life when tough times came and inspired many to do the same. She truly knew how to turn ordinary moments into extraordinary ones through joy and insights.

In the words of one of her friends “Eileen always made you feel like a ‘somebody’, not a ‘nobody’. She was compassionate and a true friend.” 

She was a 4-H leader for many years, Sunday School teacher, member of PEO, substitute teacher for many years, volunteered for many organizations such as Meals-On-Wheels, traveled extensively with Warren abroad and in the US, active in the church, member of a special Bible study group for over 35 years, and loved gardening and raising flowers. Music was a huge part of her life whether listening to it, singing in the choir, or making sure her children practiced their instruments! Eileen loved poetry, which she quoted extensively.

Being also a very talented artist, her love of nature, flowers, scenery, and appreciation for ordinary moments was a gift to us. “Look at that sunset! Oh my…and those clouds…the colors are so unusual…I’m going to paint that.” Eileen painted close to 200 paintings. 

She was passionate about learning new things, growing in her faith, and encouraging others to believe they had a destiny in doing great things. And that God would give them strength and encouragement. Mom felt her special mission in life was to be a prayer warrior. Many is the time she’d say, “Let’s pray about that right now.” 

Eileen was a beautiful person inside and out. She had an impact on many lives and will be forever missed.

She is survived by four children and a son-in-law: Ron (Bonnie), La Crosse, WI, Del (Wanda), Grand Forks, Lorie Pope (Robert), Bismarck, Kevin (Connie), Fargo, and son-in-law Martin Marinov, Coral Springs, FL,  9 grandchildren: Karl, Trevor (Andrea) Pope, Jordan (Cassie) Pope , Taylor (Kate) Pope , Joel (Sarah) DeKrey, Katie (Josh) Burgess, Neil (Laiel) DeKrey, Lee (Caroline) DeKrey, Hannah (Aaron) Proefrock, and 20 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Warren; daughter, Karen Marinov; brothers, Leonard and Ralph; sister, Delores, and parents, Leonard and Lydia. 

The family gives a special thank you to the Elm Crest Manor, New Salem, ND for their wonderful care to our beloved Mom.