Marco L Eklund

Marco Lynn Eklund, 67, passed away on September 25, 2023, after a two-year battle with liver cancer. Born to Robert and Dorothy (Thingelstad) Eklund, he was the third of four children and the only boy. He lived in Rugby, ND, and moved to Park River, ND in second grade. Marco "played" trombone in the school band, participated in basketball and football, was active in Our Savior’s Lutheran Church and Boy Scouts. He grew up helping his dad with handyman work, plumbing, and heating. Marco graduated from Walsh County Agricultural School, class of 1974, and worked for Polar Telephone prior to serving in the U.S. Navy. He was stationed in Glasgow, Scotland. He enjoyed his time in the Navy and attended NDSSS in Wahpeton upon his return. He married Tami Leith in 1979. They relocated to Walhalla, North Dakota, and established Bo-Mar Enterprises in 1979. Three children were born to the couple. Melissa, Calvin, and Riley were his pride and joy. Marco served as a plumbing and heating contractor for 22 years, designing and building their first house and later, a second house, in Walhalla. Marco was active in the Walhalla Lutheran church by serving on the church counsel, and a Sunday school teacher, as well as the Walhalla Fire Department and the Walhalla Park Board.

Marco relocated to Fargo, North Dakota in 2001, and later to San Tan Valley, Arizona, where he established Eklund Plumbing in the Phoenix/Mesa metro area. He was proud that both of his sons would soon establish their own HVAC companies in the Phoenix/Mesa metro area, becoming the third generation in the family business.

Marco had many interests, including hunting, snowmobiling, Sunday drives through the Pembina Gorge, ice fishing on Lake of the Woods, yard work, remodeling homes, and traveling to spend time with family and explore the areas where they lived. He instilled deep values into our lives. He took pride in teaching anyone who wanted to learn about home improvement projects, as well as sharing his faith with his children. He proved to be a good sounding-board for his kids and showed up for us with support and enthusiasm. His grandchildren gave him the nickname "Papa" and brought him to his first cherished school concerts, practices, games, and performances. Papa was impressed with their constant hard work, goal setting, and ability to establish friendships. His example of getting to know others, and how to treat one another is something that we value and pass on to others. No matter if it was a four-wheeler ride, a bike ride, swimming at a pool, a visit to a pretend fashion show, slurping down imaginary cups of coffee in an imaginary coffee shop with his granddaughters, hiking, fishing, or snowmobiling, or enjoying a sweet treat, Papa was excited to be with his grandkids! We secretly think that was all second nature to him because he was a big kid himself! He was a reliable and predictable force in our lives, and he was a big teddy bear that was more tender than he let on to the rest of the world.

Marco is survived by his three children, daughter, Melissa Eklund Johnson. Sons; Calvin (Kim) Eklund and Riley (Monica) Eklund, as well as his children’s mother, Tami Leith; and his grandchildren: Audrey, Camille, and Cecily Johnson, Blake Ernster, Lukas, and Jaxyn Eklund. Marco is survived by his sister Lorie Clemetson, Park River, ND; sister Deanna (John) Hogan, Cape Coral, FL; sister, Susie (Biff) Gentry, Warrensburg, MO; as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and many cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert, and Dorothy Eklund; son-in-law, Rev. Justin Johnson; and grandson, Laurel Robert Johnson.

Marco, our fun-loving father, papa, dear brother, uncle, and friend-may peace be with you. You are dearly loved and will be greatly missed. He didn’t need to be perfect to be loved by us. We treasure the teasing and adventures we had with him. Despite the difficult times ahead, we will relish the wonderful times we shared together. In his loving memory, we will remember to chat with those we encounter, as a kind word can brighten someone's day.

A memorial service will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Park River, North Dakota, on Monday, October 2, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. with an inurnment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Park River, North Dakota. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service. Military rites will be provided by the Park River American Legion Post #147 and the US Naval Honor Guard. Memorials are preferred to the Park River American Legion Post #147 Marco Eklund Memoriam, PO Box 382, Park River, ND 58270 or the Walhalla Fire Department Marco Eklund Memoriam, PO Box 284, Walhalla, ND 58282.