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Thank you for your support during this difficult time. Please enhance this tribute to Wade by adding your memories and photos.
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Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home
Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home
101 Gerkin
Gregory,
SD
57533
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Previous
“Dear Eklund Family,
I send sincere sympathy as you mourn the passing and celebrate the life of Wade. 1986 was my final year as a classroom...Read More »
”
1 of 31 | Posted by: Terry and Diana Nebelsick - Huron, SD
“I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
”
2 of 31 | Posted by: Linda Legge - Rapid City, SD
“Linda, Wally and family,
So sorry to read in the paper this morning about Wade. We remember him as a happy high school student who was friends...Read More »
”
3 of 31 | Posted by: Linda and Jerry Ross - Rapid City, SD
“Dearest Eklund family,
Our hearts are with yours. We are at a loss for words as how to express how
sad we truly are.
We have been...Read More »
”
4 of 31 | Posted by: Teri and Dave Ciani - Whitewood, SD
“To the Eklund family - Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you as you face these difficult days now and in the days ahead. Wade was a special...Read More »
”
5 of 31 | Posted by: RICH & BEV RUBEL
“Linda, Wally, and family,
I am so sorry to hear about Wade. I don't remember a time every seeing Wade without a smile on his face or a warm hello....Read More »
”
6 of 31 | Posted by: Holly A Slade - West Jordan, UT
“To Wade's Family:
I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Wade was such a...Read More »
”
7 of 31 | Posted by: Carol Postulka - Pierre, SD
“Wally and Linda
We are so very sorry to hear of Wade's passing. Though we didn't know him personally, we know that just being a member of your...Read More »
”
8 of 31 | Posted by: Erik & Linda Palle - Spearfish, SD
“I’m very sorry to hear about Wade. Our thoughts and Prayers are with his family. We attended the University of South Dakota with Wade. We have...Read More »
”
9 of 31 | Posted by: Tim Robinson - Overland Park, KS
“Thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. I remember how persistent Wade was in the weight room.....he was a great example.
Joe and...Read More »
”
10 of 31 | Posted by: Cheryl and Joe Schonebaum - Burke, SD
“Linda, Wally and family:
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all...
Jim and Marian Gregg
Jeff, Sayna,...Read More »
”
11 of 31 | Posted by: Julie Gregg-Bubac - Rapid city, SD
“Dear Eklund family, You are in my thoughts and prayers. I read about Wade in the paper. I have many memories of all of you from my years teaching in...Read More »
”
12 of 31 | Posted by: Deb Erlenbusch - Sioux Falls, SD
“I'm so sorry to hear of Wade's passing. We worked together at social services. He was a great guy. He was proud of his children and always talkiig...Read More »
”
13 of 31 | Posted by: LaRae Natvig - Kimball, SD
“Dear Eklund Family,
We were so sorry to hear of Wade's death. What a sad, sad time for you all....Please know we are thinking of you and keeping...Read More »
”
14 of 31 | Posted by: Lynn Senftner - Onida, SD
“We love the Eklund family. There is never an instance when the "kids" fail to stop and visit with us and the never fail to brightened our day. I...Read More »
”
15 of 31 | Posted by: Jack Broome - Burke, SD
“Eklund family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you all!!
”
16 of 31 | Posted by: john and Leah Peterson - Canton, SD
“Dearest Wally, Linda, Mark, Kallie & Lee, and Wades children,
I am so very deeply sadden by the loss you are all going through. there are not...Read More »
”
17 of 31 | Posted by: Teresa (Salmen) Waterbury - burke, SD
“ONE THING WE NEVER LOOSE ARE THE BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES THAT WILL ALWAYS REMAIN IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU . OUR...Read More »
”
18 of 31 | Posted by: DONALD AND PATTY WOOD - SD
“Wally and Linda, we are so sorry to hear of the loss of your son. Our sympathy to all of Wade's family. We know you will miss him so much. May...Read More »
”
19 of 31 | Posted by: Mick and Patsy Grossenburg - SD
“Wally, Linda and family,
I am sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your faimily in your time of sorrow.
”
20 of 31 | Posted by: Paul Serr - Reno, NV - Classmate
“Dear family,
Wade will always hold a special place in our hearts. Many fond memories have resurfaced the past couple of days as we feel his loss....Read More »
”
21 of 31 | Posted by: Karen and Jim Kayl - Sioux Falls, SD
“Please accept our sincere sympathy to all of you and to precious Maddie, Jackson, and Jhett. May it be of comfort to know that others care and are...Read More »
”
22 of 31 | Posted by: Alan and Kim Webster - Custer, SD
“We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts & prayers are with the whole family.
”
23 of 31 | Posted by: Bill & Bonnie Gardner - Winner, SD
“Wally and Linda,
I heard your terrible news Thursday night. We are so very sorry for what you are going through right now. You have been in our...Read More »
”
24 of 31 | Posted by: Lisa Thomsen - Rapid City, SD
“My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. There is no way to imagine what you folks are going thro but know that God is with you and will...Read More »
”
25 of 31 | Posted by: Kay Schwinler Whisenhunt - TX
“My sympathy to the family. Wally, you may not remember me from when I worked in the law firm in Sioux Falls with the Nicholsons but when I saw Wade...Read More »
”
26 of 31 | Posted by: Cheri Jacobson - Pipestone, MN
“All my thoughts and prayers of comfort to the family members and to his lovely and amazing children. May the Lord comfort and guide you in this very...Read More »
”
27 of 31 | Posted by: Hallie - Custer, SD
“I was deeply saddened to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
”
28 of 31 | Posted by: Carol - Hot Springs, SD - friend
“Very sorry for your loss. Wade was definitely a stand-up guy that always had a smile ready.
”
29 of 31 | Posted by: Dan Hartland - Winner, SD
“I'm so sorry for your loss, your family was like a second family to me growing up in Gregory. When my mom moved our family to Vermillion to complete...Read More »
”
30 of 31 | Posted by: Gina (Humpal) Frerichs - Columbus, NE
“Linda Wally and family,
What a nice guy. He was always so smiley when you would meet him in a store. Always said hi and was super friendly. Our...Read More »
”
31 of 31 | Posted by: Bob and Penny Sperl
Wade Eklund was born August 31, 1968 at Winner, SD, the second child in the family of Wally and Linda (Earll) Eklund. He joined his brother Mark and later a sister Calley and a brother Lee would complete the family.
The family lived in Gregory where the children attended school. Wade was the typical energetic growing boy, loving to go to the river with his family and ski behind the boat while his father drove. He liked sports and camping and doing things with his hands. In high school he played all sports, made friends easily, and was chosen by his classmates as Homecoming King. That love of sports persisted in later years and he enjoyed working the "chain gang" at local football games for the Gregory Gorillas. He graduated from Gregory High School in 1986, and enrolled at the University of South Dakota. Wade adapted to college life and completed his Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice.
Wade and Theresa Moerike were married August 28, 1993, lived in Vermillion for a short time, then made Gregory their home where their three children were born. Wade loved building things for his children including a baby cradle, a bed, and a toy barn plus many other things.
After completing his degree Wade started a roofing business in Gregory. After several years he drove truck for Opperman Sand and Gravel. Then an opening developed in the Department of Social Services and Wade took a position as Child Protection Officer.
Wade had a special love for dogs which led to his first boxer named Kolbuk and many more were to follow.
Wade died at his home in Gregory on March 29, 2012, at the age of 43 years.
He is survived by his three children: Maddie, Jackson and Jhett Eklund all of Gregory, SD, and his parents Wally and Linda Eklund of Rapid City, SD. Also surviving are his siblings Mark Eklund of Gregory, SD - Calley (Scott) Schuyler of Winner, SD – and Lee (Sarah) Eklund of Spearfish, SD and by his paternal grandmother Margaret Eklund of Winner, SD, and by nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by three grandparents: Orval and Mary Earll and Wally Eklund.
* * * * * * * * * *
Funeral services for Wade Eklund, 43, were held Monday, April 2, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at the Union Congregational Church in Gregory, SD with Pastor Tim Voigt officiating. A prayer service was held Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. at the church.
The eulogy was given by Calley Schuyler and Lee Eklund.
Music was provided by Erin Grossenburg, soloist, singing "The Prayer" and "I Can Only Imagine." Congregational songs were "Precious Lord Take My Hand" and "Amazing Grace" accompanied by Bette Fogel, pianist.
Stacey Weglin and Sydney & Sam Schuyler were in charge of registration. Flower attendants were Theresa Clayton and Alice Slade.
Casket bearers were Mark Eklund, Lee Eklund, Scott Schuyler, George Johnson, Roger Kingsbury, and Tony Eklund.
Honorary Pallbearers were Garrett Eklund, David Kotrba, and all of Wade's family and friends.
Interment was in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Gregory, SD.
