Ruth "Boo" Eklund, 82, of Willmar, died Friday at Rice Care Center in Willmar, MN. Memorial services will be 10:00 am Thursday, July 17, at Vinje Lutheran Church with Rev. Barbara Johnson officiating. There will be a private family interment. Friends may call on Wednesday from 6 until 8 pm at the Harvey Anderson Funeral Home, 100 19th Ave. SW, Wilmar, MN, 320-235-0545; and on Thursday 1 hour prior to services at the church. The family prefers memorials to a Special Staff Fund at Rice Care Center, who cared for Boo.
Ruth "Boo" (Hoglund) was born on April 1, 1921, in Kerkhoven, MN, the daughter of Dr. Herbert A. and Ruth (Merriman) Hoglund. Following her mother's death at childbirth, her father married Grace (Merriman), who together raised Boo and her two sisters. Boo graduated Valedictorian of Kerkhoven High School in 1939. She attended the University of Minnesota, earning a degree in English and Library Science. Her first teaching position was in Cokato, where she met her future husband. She later worked as a librarian in St. Paul and most recently at Jefferson Elementary School in Willmar.
On December 28, 1946, Boo was united in marriage to Charles W. Eklund. They lived in St. Paul, MN, Grand Forks, ND, Sioux City, IA and Fargo, prior to moving to Willmar in 1965. They shared a lifelong love of golf, bridge, bowling and summers at Green Lake.
She is survived by her children, Mary Beth (and Bill) Thorne, of Ft. Collins, CO, Jeff Eklund, of Willmar, and Gretchen (and Keith) Kleinsasser, of Cottage Grove; six grandchildren, Brad Thorne, Suzanne Thorne, Zachary Kleinsasser, Heidi (and Nathan) Cole, Joel Kleinsasser and Allison Kleinsasser. Also surviving is her sister, Mary Margaret Nelson, of Spicer; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Joanne and Duanne Hammargren of Alexandria; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one sister Audré Torgerson.
