Kendal J. Eklund
June 13, 1949 – July 25, 2025
Kendal Eklund, 76, Minot, ND, passed away Friday, July 25, 2025, at Trinity Hospital.
Kendal Jerome Eklund was born June 13, 1949, the son of Franklin and Ethel (Swenson) Eklund, in Kenmare. He was raised and educated in Tioga. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in Tioga.
He enlisted in the United States Army on March 4, 1970. He was top of his military class on crypto repair. He also volunteered to service on the Honor Guard. He proudly served his country during and he was honorably discharged January 9, 1972.
Following his time in the Army, Kendal worked for various electric companies. He made his home in Tioga and was blessed with three children, Jeremy, Lori, and Larry.
He studied engineering at Minot State College while he worked at Portal Pipeline. He stayed with the company when it became Enbridge and was with them for 30 years before retiring.
He married Bonnie Galusha on February 14, 2009. They made their home in Minot and Kendal gained three step-children, Jason, Melissa, and Tausha. Together, Kendal and Bonnie traveled to the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Arizona, and Florida. They also took the grandkids to Medora.
He was a member of the Moose Lodge. Kendal enjoyed dancing and collecting things to fix. His dad fostered his love for old time music. He liked to listen to his dad play accordion and learned to play accordion as well. Kendal also looked forward to fishing trips with his brother, Dennis. Every year they would hop in the motor home and go salmon fishing for a week or two together.
His loving family includes: wife of 16 years, Bonnie; children, Jeremy, Lori, and Larry; step-children, Jason (Christin) Bechtold, Melissa Bechtold (Joshua), Tausha Schmaltz (Levi); numerous grandchildren; brothers, Ronald (Debbie) Eklund, Frank (Julie) Eklund, Carmen (Georgia) Eklund; sister, Janice (Ken) Hellmuth; sister-in-law, Evelyn Eklund
father-in-law and mother-in-law, Mardine and Charles Galusha; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Dennis.
Funeral: Friday, August 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Nasareth Cemetery, Powers Lake, ND.
Visitation: Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Thompson-Larson Funeral Home, Minot.
