Howard J. Eklund
March 24, 1922 - February 7, 2012
Obituary
Howard J. Eklund, 89, of Sequim, Washington, went home to be with the Lord on February 7, 2012. His family was privileged to be with him at the time.
He was born March 24, 1922, in Pueblo, Colorado, the son of Alfred and Ida Eklund. On August 24, 1943 he married Helen (Alice) Cerveny, who survives him.
Howard served as a Staff Sergeant in the US Army Air Force during World War II as a B17 turret gunner in the 384th bomb group. During his 24th mission over Germany, his plane was shot down. He spent the final 13 months of the war as a Prisoner of War in Stalag 17. After liberation, Howard was able to return home and start a family with his wife Alice in Burien.
Howard worked as an optician at Olmstead and Columbian Optical in Seattle before retiring in 1988. He specialized in the making of glass eyes and contact lenses.
He was an avid gardener and always maintained a beautiful yard and very large vegetable garden often supplying friends and neighbors with fresh produce. Through these efforts, he attained the nick name “Secretary of Agriculture”.
Howard will be remembered as a loving brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Alice; Sister, Ethel Grunenwald of Bryan, Texas; three daughters: Patty Welden (Daniel) of Port Angeles, WA; Janet Cattrall of Perth, Australia; and Cheryle Eklund of Rockingham, Australia; his grandchildren: Matthew Welden (Wendy) and Marc Welden (Madison) of Seattle; Cheyne Saunders, Erin Saunders, and Jeremy Cattrall of Perth, Australia; his great-grandchildren: Alice Welden, Etta Welden, Eliza Welden, Layla Burns, and Terrah Cattrall.
Services will be held Tuesday, February 14, 11:00 AM at Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Burien, Washington. He will be buried at Gethsemane Cemetery alongside his third daughter Tina Eklund who preceded him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Heart Association, or Sequim Senior Center.
You were a wonderful Dad and fantastic grandpa to Cheyne & Erin.Also I am sorry you did not get to meet Layla Rose Burns in person but I know you will look out for her. I will miss you & your stories & those great hugs you give& kisses. Rest in peace now & tell Tina how much I love & have missed her.
I never had the privilege of meeting you in person although I have enjoyed the many stories your beautiful family have shared with me. Rest in peace xxx
I never had the privilege of meeting you in person although I have enjoyed the many stories your beautiful family have shared with me. Rest in peace xxx
We have wonderful memories of Howard being such a dynamic member of our extended family. We loved his humor and his stories over the last 45 years. We will miss him dearly.
He was a terrific man and loved by many.
We are honored to have known a war hero for so many years.
The only flaw we can remember is that Howard was very poor at hunting for Easter eggs on those many Easter Holidays celebrated at Whidbey Island!
Rest in peace, Dear Friend.
Love, Leslie and Jim
Howard was an awesome man. His faith and love of family were an inspiration to us all. What a great life to be married to Alice, another wonderful person, all those years. My sympathies to Alice and the whole family. Linda Davis
We were privileged to be Howard & Alice Eklund’s next door neighbors for the past 5 years, or so. We’ll always remember Howard for his consistent cheerfulness & generous nature. We were truly fortunate to know Howard and experience through his memories what he endured and accomplished during his WWII service. We were very fond of him and will truly miss him. Our sincere condolences to his beloved wife Alice and the entire Eklund family. Rest in peace and enjoy your reward for a remarkable life, dear Howard.
We will miss you Uncle Howard. I had the privledge to spend time with Howard and Alice when I lived in Seattle and I always remember his warm smile and incredible garden. Rest in Peace.
Love, Mike & Haley
We send our love and deep sympathy with the passing of Howard. I have such fond memories of our time working at Columbian Optical and riding to work when we lived in Seahurst, dropping of Patty and Janet at Holy Names. We loved to visit his beautiful garden over the years. God’s blessings as you journey on. Dave and Nancy Hester
So sorry to hear of Howards passing. This brings back a lot of great memories from my childhood. I think Howard gave me my first job. Digging dandols for $.25 a bucket, and we thought that was great.
We are trying to get over losing Mom on Dec. 1. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Suzann (Baus) Henggeler
So sorry to hear of Howards passing. This brings back a lot of great memories from my childhood. I think Howard gave me my first job. Digging dandols for $.25 a bucket, and we thought that was great.
We are trying to get over losing Mom on Dec. 1. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Suzann (Baus) Henggeler
We’ll miss you Uncle Howard and are so thankful for the memories that bring a smile to help us through our tears. Our thoughts and prayers are with Aunt Alice, Patty, Janet, Chery and families.
With love,
Teri & George
My memories of uncle Howard span a time frame of 65 plus years – loved his beaming smile, laugh and his stories were always great. I’ll miss talking to him on the phone when I check iin with aunt Alice. My thoughts and prayers are with Alice and the girls. He’s now up there with Tina and all the other loved ones in our family that have gone ahead.
Howards presence will be greatly missed by Marty and I, as we know it will for so many. He leaves behind not only a beautiful, loving family, but also a bounty of wonderful memories. We have shared some very sad times with Howard (and Alice), but have also shared so many fun times.
We will treasure for ever the stories that Howard shared with us about his life in the military, his time as a POW, and his adjustment to “normal” llife once he returned from the war.
May you rest in peace, cherish your reunion with your daughter, Tina, and we hope you meet up with mom, dad,
Emile and Laverne to enjoy a martini in Heaven.
With Love,
Marty and Marsha
My thoughts and prayers to your family. I looked forward to visitng with Mr and Mrs Eklund when I came back to visit family in Seattle. I loved strolling in the beautiful garden and sharing our sweet memories of Tina. Such a sweet, gentle man, with a lovely wife.
With love, Gwen
My thoughts and prayers to your family. I looked forward to visitng with Mr and Mrs Eklund when I came back to visit family in Seattle. I loved strolling in the beautiful garden and sharing our sweet memories of Tina. Such a sweet, gentle man, with a lovely wife.
With love, Gwen
Alice and girls,
Our hearts go out to you at the loss of your husband and father. St Francis parishioners remember you all with much fondness. Your beautifully landscaped yard was Burien’s pride. Know our love and prayers are with you as you learn to live without Howard’s physical presence.
Stan and Pat Cervenka
Alice, Patty, Janet & Cheryle –
I will always have a warm place in my heart for the Eklund’s! I spent so much time at your house, as a kid, I’m sure Howard & Alice thought they had yet another daughter!
The service today was wonderful and I look forward to visiting Alice soon in the banana belt Sequim.
Fred, like myself, has such great memories of Howard.
For me it was his zest for life, his gardening skills, his loyalty to friends, his ability to build barbie furniture , and his beloved Marquis and White Cadillac.
Fred learned to make beer from Howard and spent time remodeling the basement. Fred and our friend Bryan found out what a great cook Alice is during that remodeling event!
Guess Howard and Tina are chatting & garden plans are underway with Gilbert G. Walker!
Please stay in touch….If I can help in some way, don’t hesitate to call on me.
michellecoll@comcast.net
All our love,
Michelle & Fred Collins
P.S. Thanks for the pictures Cheryle
Howard Eklund is my Grandpa