John Eklo

John Raynold Eklo was born on August 8, 1929 in Mobridge, SD to John J. and Lydia (Korn) Eklo. As a young boy John loved spending time with his grandpa watching him work in his blacksmith shop. The family moved to Clara City, MN in 1935 where John graduated high school. He attended the University of Minnesota in St. Paul for agriculture. John attended only one year, as his father got sick, so he went home to farm. John was united in marriage to Erna Wachsman on June 17, 1953 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City. To this union the couple was blessed with two daughters, Joanne and Patricia. John farmed in Clara City for 10 years, before he went into machining at Rogers Manufacturing Company in Granite Falls, where he worked for 10 years. The family moved to Glenwood, and John was an industrial engineer working at Glenwood Manufacturing until it closed. He also worked at Doege Precision Machining in Alexandria and MHC in Glenwood before retiring in Starbuck, MN. John belonged to the Mason?s in Montevideo for 50 years. He was very mechanical and loved making things out of metal and wood. John loved gardening, antique tractors, paddlewheel boats, reading, and going to the caf� for coffee. One of John?s favorite places to go was to Medora, ND attending the cowboy poetry gathering. John died on Monday, November 19, 2012 at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck at the age of 83. He is survived by his loving wife, Erna Eklo of Starbuck, daughters, Joanne (Ron) Bekkerus of Glydon, MN and Patricia Eklo-Santa of Fort Pierce, FL; grandchildren, Megan Santa and Justin Santa; and cousins. John is preceded in death by his parents, John and Lydia. A memorial service was held on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at the Minnewaska Lutheran Church in Starbuck with Reverend Todd Klemme officiating. Music was provided by Kathy Hanson. Inurnment will be held in the Minnewaska Lutheran Church Cemetery. Honorary urn bearers were Justin Santa, Megan Santa, Ron Bekkerus, Irene Nelson, Blaine Pedersen, and Janet & Ray Haack. Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home in Alexandria