Philip Ecklund

Philip Gordon Ecklund 1942-2025

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints." Psalm 116:15

A loving, hard-working, family man and faithful to God, Philip Ecklund (82) passed from this earthly home to Heaven on May 2, 2025, with family members by his side.

Monday May 26, 2025, (PLEASE NOTE THE DATE) visitation and lunch will be held from 12:00 to 1:30 PM at First Covenant Church. Funeral service will be held at 1:30 PM at First Covenant Church in Fort Dodge with Pastor Allan Redenius officiating. Graveside service will follow at Lost Grove Township Cemetery, Harcourt with Military Rites provided by American Legion Peterson Post #431, of Gowrie. Laufersweiler Palmer & Sons is in charge of arrangements.

Philip Gordon Ecklund was born on Aug 6, 1942, at Lutheran General Hospital in Fort Dodge, Iowa on his beloved, great Uncle Emil's birthday. Phil's mom Florence was a nurse at Lutheran General and was determined that Phil would be born on Uncle Emil's birthday that day! If Phil's arrival was seconds, minutes, or hours before or after Aug 6th, she would alter the birth certificate with the doctor. Phil was born according to his birth certificate at 11:59 pm on Aug 6, 1942. Phil loved and bonded with his Grandpa Ecklund's only brother, Emil, who was a Christian influence on Phil and a loving, Godly and caring man to the community.

Phil, the son of J. Gilbert and Florence Nordin Ecklund, grew up on a farm in Harcourt Iowa. He was a student in the Lanyon Schools and attended there from first grade through his junior year in high school. The school closed in 1959, and Phil attended Gowrie High School his senior year graduating in the Spring of 1960. Phil's continuing education was pursued at North Park College in Chicago, Illinois where he graduated with a business degree in 1964. Those years he worked on the janitorial team cleaning the college classrooms and on graduation, Phil took an Auto Claims position with State Farm Insurance Company in Des Plaines, Illinois. After graduation, a fellow student caught his eye and Phil and Ingrid dated for a year and were married at Isaacson Chapel on North Park Campus May 28, 1966. Phil and Ingrid were blessed with three children: Kristina, Ted, and Erik and they began raising their young family in Prospect Heights, Illinois. When a job promotion was presented to Phil with his employer, State Farm, Phil moved his family to Simi Valley, California, Fall of 1975. Phil and Ingrid raised their 3 children in their home in Simi Valley and in 2007 purchased an additional home in Gowrie, Iowa where they made their home every summer, connecting with childhood friends and making many new friends. Phil enjoyed riding the John Deere tractor during planting and harvest with Marshall and Chuck Lambert. Phil was a train enthusiast and often visited the famous Kate Shelley Bridge and an old train bridge in Boone, Iowa, where Phil took loved ones and friends to watch trains pass under the bridge. Phil and Ingrid found their church home at First Covenant Church of Fort Dodge Iowa. Phil served there and was blessed to find fellowship in this place. Phil enjoyed music and looked forward to singing in the church choir under the leadership of Armona Redenius. Phil and Pastor Allan became lifetime friends and share the phrase "In His Grip."

Phil loved the Lord, his family, his church, and his friends. Phil is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ingrid Johnson Ecklund and his three children and their families: Kristina Ecklund (Dino Mantis), Jack Frede (22), Ahna Frede (20) and Luke Frede (17); Ted Ecklund; and Erik Ecklund (Bianca Ecklund), Reese Ecklund (18) and Cameron Ecklund (16). Phil is survived by his sister Martha Engstrom-Hatch and her daughter Kirsten (Rich Gilmore) and granddaughters Hannah Gilmore (22) and McKenzie Gilmore (17). The family prefers memorials given to The First Covenant Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa or The American Legion of Gowrie, Iowa.

Phil was a man who loved deeply and was deeply loved. On hearing of his uncle's passing, nephew Tim Johnson (Glenview, Illinois) replied "Gosh, what a legacy he left!" Phil will be greatly missed but our faith reminds us that we will, one day, be reunited with him in glory.

Peace to his memory.