Robert “Bob” J. Ecklund

Obituary

Robert Jerome “Bob” Ecklund was born on December 11, 1950, in Bertha, MN. He was the son of John and Alice (Upton) Ecklund. He was baptized as an infant and later confirmed as a youth at Faith Lutheran Church, Eagle Bend, MN. Bob attended country school through the eighth grade and then attended Eagle Bend High School where he graduated in 1968. He furthered his education at Staples Technical College and graduated with an Accounting Degree. Instead of pursuing Accounting he decided to do what he loved…..being outdoors and working with his hands. Bob the Builder began his career in carpentry.

On May 13, 1978, Bob was united in marriage to Joyce Miller by Pastor Thor Skeie at Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Patrick, Heather, and Austin. They resided in Hutchinson until 1995 and then moved to their home on Lake Jennie that Bob built for his family. They shared 45 ½ years of marriage.

After moving to Hutchinson, Bob worked as the Assistant Manager at Great Plains Supply. In 1978 he began working at 3M, retiring in 2009 after 31 years. Besides working at 3M, he started his part-time business, “BJ Stone Findings” where he did remodeling and masonry, installing fireplaces with Coronado Stone products.

Bob had the gift of gab and loved spending time with friends and family telling stories. He was an avid deer hunter for many years with his brother, family, and friends. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, whether he was fishing, hunting, or working on a project. Bob and Joyce spent several years seasonal camping at Cozy Corner and Two Rivers Campground where several long-lasting friendships began. Bob loved sports and was a true Vikings, Minnesota Gophers, and Twins fan. Bob cherished the times that were spent with his family, grandchildren, and friends.

Bob was diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in 2019. After many complications that could not be addressed at home, Bob became a resident at Woodstone Senior Living in 2021. In March of 2022, he became a resident at Harmony River in Hutchinson.

On December 14, 2023, Bob was admitted to Hutchinson Healthcare and transferred to Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital on December 19, 2023, where he passed away on January 2, 2023, due to respiratory failure, at the age of 73.

“We took a thousand moments for granted, mostly because we thought that there would be a thousand more. You are in our hearts forever. Blessed be your memory.”

Bob is survived by his:
Wife, Joyce, Dassel MN;
Children, Patrick (Jessica) Ecklund, Darwin, MN,
Heather Ecklund, St. Paul, MN,
Austin Ecklund, Dassel, MN;
Brothers, Richard Ecklund, Butte MT,
Charles (Wally) Ecklund, Wheaton, MN;
Sisters, Margaret Burke, Cibolo, TX,
Barb (Dick) Swenson, Ronan, MT,
Jeanette (Louis) Fallon, Darwin, MN;
Brother-in-law, Chuck (Jackie) Miller, Hutchinson MN;
Grandchildren, Christopher (Dee) Tschudi, Hutchinson, MN,
Alyssa Fredrickson, Darwin, MN,
Maddex Ecklund, Darwin, MN,
Korrah Ecklund, Darwin, MN;
Many other relatives and friends.

Bob is preceded in death by his Parents, John and Alice Ecklund; Parents-in-law, Paul and Alice Miller; Brother, John Ecklund; Sister, Ellen Berkness, Laura Hamre; Brothers-in-law, Charles Berkness, Jack Hamre, Dennis Burke, Roland Schmidt; Sisters-in-law, Betty Ecklund, Darlene Schmidt; Grandson, Terrick Bernhardt.