Victor DeVere Eklund, 82
Victor DeVere Eklund, 82, passed away on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, at the Immanuel Lutheran Home in Kalispell. He was born on Dec. 14, 1926, in Baylor, to Victor and Grace (Waggoner) Eklund.
Victor spent his early years in Baylor and Glasgow. At age 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. His tour of duty included action against the Japanese on Saipan, Tinian, Okinawa, and in the occupation of Japan. He was also recalled during the Korean War, but did not see active duty.
He met his future wife, Orlene Granger, in Seattle, between tours of duty. They were married in Kalispell on May 31, 1948. They returned to the Seattle area, where Victor continued his education at the University of Washington.
In 1950 he was recalled to the service and spent time in the Camp Pendleton area of California. He was discharged from the service in 1951 and they returned to Bigfork.
After working at various trucking jobs in the Kalispell area, Victor moved with his family to southern California in 1959. There he worked for the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement in 1979. They returned to Lakeside, where he resided until his death.
Victor's interests included 4-by-4 off-roading, racing, and mud bogging in his Ford Bronco, working in his garage, and spending time with family. One of his greatest pleasures was being on Blacktail Mountain behind his home, finding and cutting his firewood.
Victor was preceded in death by his wife, Orlene; youngest son, Mark; parents, Victor and Grace; and seven sisters.
He is survived by four children, Orlene L. Schroeder and husband, Paul, of Mohall, N.D., Susan Davis of Kingman, Ariz., Matt Eklund and wife, Cindy, of Kalispell, and David Eklund and wife, Debbie, of Alta Loma, Calif.; nine grandchildren, Julie, Allen and Lindsay, and Tracie Schroeder; Dustin, David and Stephanie, and Lacey Eklund; and Mark and Alexis, and Marie and Mike Eklund; and great-granddaughter, Audrey Corinne Eklund, daughter of Mark and Alexis. He is also survived by his sister, Francis, and Oscar Nygard, of Lake Forest, Wash.; cousin-in-law, Mary Ann Moen, of Glasgow; and various nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Victor will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at the Lakeside Community Chapel, with the Rev. John Ulrich officiating.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Home Options Hospice, 175 Commons Loop, Suite 100, Kalispell, MT 59901; or the American Cancer Society, 3550 Mullan Road, Suite 105, Missoula, MT 59808 for renal cancer research; or to a charity of your choice.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Victor's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Victor's guest book, offer condolences and share memories.