Gail Linee Eckstrom, 71, of Fairfax, VA and formerly of Fessenden, ND passed away Friday, March 8, 2024 at a nursing home in Fairfax, VA after a courageous battle with dementia. A Graveside Service will be held at 12:15 PM Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery in Esmond, ND. Arrangements are with the Nelson Funeral Home of Maddock, ND.  Online condolences may be left at www.thenelsonfuneralhome.com.

Gail was born July 29, 1953 at the Maddock Memorial Hospital in Maddock, ND to Earling and Gina (Engene) Eckstrom.  Gail was raised by foster parents, Paul and Pauline Widiger in Fessenden, ND where she attended public school.  She graduated from NDSU with a BS degree and had a career spanning 20 years with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, DC.  After receiving an LPN license, she chose to be a caregiver in Iowa.

Gail was preceded in death by her parents, Earling and Gina Eckstrom; brother, Bud (Mona); nephew, Shannon Daughtry; uncle, Alf Engene of Esmond.

She is survived by her sisters, Judi Daughtry in Escondido, CA, Carol Thompson in North Dakota and Elaine Stillwell of Manassas, VA; nephew, John Stillwell of Manassas, VA; nieces, Courtney Eckstrom of Washington State; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.