Elmond Ekblad

Elmond D. E. Ekblad, age 96, of Willmar, passed away Monday, January 26, at Bethesda Pleasant View Nursing Home in Willmar.  Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, at the First Covenant Church in Willmar. Interment will be at Cloverleaf Memorial Park Cemetery in Willmar. Military honors will be provided by the Willmar American Legion Post #167. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Elmond was born on August 15, 1918, near Willmar, Minnesota, the son of Enoch & O'Della (Larson) Ekblad. He grew up in the Willmar area, graduating from high school in 1935.   He served in the Army during World War II. On July 31, 1943, Elmond was married to Ione Carlson during furlough.  They celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary this past July, 2014.  Elmond was employed for 43 years with the Great Northern and Burlington Northern Railroads as an engineer.  He was an active member of the First Covenant Church in Willmar. Elmond was a volunteer at the Kandiyohi County Historical Society and Meals on Wheels. Hunting, fishing gardening, photography, stamp & coin collecting were just a few of his hobbies.  He was a tender hearted man who loved God & his family.

He is survived by his wife, Ione of Willmar; three daughters, Connie (and Mike) O'Brien of Brainerd, Wendy (and Evan) Sorvik of Sturgeon Lake , LeeAnn (and Deane) Neal of Murdock; five grandchildren, Kevin (and Linda) O'Brien of Colby WI, Colin (and Karla) O'Brien of Shakopee, Kathryn (and David) Haase of Kerkhoven, Kim (and Jordan) Fischer of Shakopee, Jon (and Katie) Neal of Minneapolis, six great-grandchildren, Bailey & Morgan O'Brien, Sophie, Freddy, & Zeke Haase, Deacon Fischer.  Also surviving is one brother, Alvoy (and Irene) Ekblad and one sister, Delores "Lully" Martin - both of Ft Collins, CO., besides other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters Vangie Nelson, Eunice Orson, Marge Alinder, Dorothy Goehring; two brothers  James & Charles Ekblad.

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