Marcile Margaret 'Sammie' Eklund, 86

 Born Marcile DeBruyn in Everett, Wash., Sammie grew up in Seattle and on Whidbey Island where her father organized the first farmer cooperatives for carrying island produce to market and was a leader in the push to build the Deception Pass Bridge.

During high school, she traveled the length of the Island to watch for enemy bombers at Oak Harbor, and spent summers at the family homestead on Orcas Island.  

She met her husband of 59 years, Bert Eklund, when he left Somers, for training in Fort Lewis and war in the South Pacific. Sammie happily adopted the Flathead Valley, sharing Glacier Park, Hungry Horse Reservoir and remote river campsites beyond graveled roads with Bert and their children.

Sammie was among the small fellowship that founded Central Bible Church, which met in the IOOF Hall before building its permanent church at First Avenue East and Ninth Street in Kalispell. Its operations enjoyed her dedication, from varnishing the original pews (children in tow) to singing in the choir.

For well over 50 years Sammie organized and taught Bible club, Bible camp, Sunday school, and AWANA. Children showed up every week at her home on Eighth Avenue East, docked their wet boots and snow suits in a heap, and wrapped themselves in Sammie’s care. Immersed in faith and in the joy of her material, Sammie later taught Bible study fellowship for her peers and was seen for her depth of understanding.

She worked at the Lutheran Home, Coast-to-Coast Hardware and the Christian Bookstore.

Sammie was the last member of her generation in the Eklund and DeBruyn families. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Barbara, in 1950; husband in 2003; and son-in-law, Larry Bell, in 2011.

She is survived by her children, David and Sharon Eklund of Phoenix, Dianne Bell of Portland, and Linda Eklund and Kenneth Dietz of New York City; grandchildren, David and Joshua Bell, and Jennifer Custis and Miles; and great-grandchildren, Holdyn and Alyssa Bell.

Private interment will follow a memorial at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at Central Bible Church, 902 First Avenue East.