Nancy Eckhardt Leslie of Enid, OK, passed away Monday, January 15, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City, OK, after losing her battle with brain cancer. She was 66.

Nancy Irene Eckhardt was born August 7, 1951, in Cherokee, OK, to Wendell Bruce and Betty Irene (Bryant) Eckhardt. She grew up on the family farm north of town until the age of 15, when the family moved to their home in Cherokee. Nancy attended Cherokee Public Schools and graduated in 1969. Following graduation, she attended college at Northwestern State College, now Northwestern Oklahoma State University, in Alva, OK, graduating in 1973 with her Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics with minors in both Journalism and Secretarial Science. While at Northwestern, Nancy became a member of Delta Zeta sorority, served as president of the dorm her senior year, and also acted as editor of the yearbook.

On June 17, 1973, Nancy married her high school sweetheart, James Johnson Leslie, at the First United Methodist Church in Cherokee. Soon after, they moved to Oklahoma City for a short time before making their home in Enid. Over the next several years, Nancy worked at a variety of businesses, including the Garfield County Courthouse; Ford, Grey, & Harvey; Union Equity; and Starburst Creations. In 1985, Nancy became office manager of Northwest Neurology, where she worked until her death. During her 30 plus years at Northwest Neurology, her coworkers became some of her closest friends, and she considered them part of her family.

One of the highlights of Nancy’s life was the birth of her only child, daughter Christine Noelle, on January 5, 1989. Her daughter became the center of her world and her best friend. Nancy enjoyed spending time with her daughter and talking to her on the phone everyday, keeping up with friends and family via Facebook, caring for her 5 cats and 2 dogs, reading mysteries, shopping for both herself and others, traveling with friends and family, and doting on her two step-grandchildren. Nancy’s faith in God was very important to her, and she was an
active member of Willow View United Methodist Church, where she served as a greeter with her husband, James.

Surviving are her husband, James, of Enid, OK; her daughter, Christine Constant, and husband, Justin, of Spring Lake, NC; and her two step-grandchildren, Jessika and Owen Constant, also of Spring Lake, NC. In addition, Nancy is survived by her brother, Keith Eckhardt, and wife, Mary, of Fairview, OK; sister, Anita Reitz, and husband, Rolfe, of Norman, OK; brother, Ronnie Eckhardt, and wife, Karen, of Cherokee, OK; and numerous nieces and
nephews.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Bruce and Betty Eckhardt.

Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 20, 2018, at Willow View United Methodist Church in Enid, OK. Pastor Mark McAdow will officiate. Burial will follow in Cherokee Cemetery in Cherokee, OK. The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 7:00 p m on Friday, January 19, at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

Memorials in Nancy’s name may be made to Willow View United Methodist Church or the Wounded Warriors Project with Ladusau-Evans as custodian of the funds.

Condolences may be made and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com

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