Dr. Lars Marvin Ecklund, Balsam, MN, formerly of Peoria, Arizona died Friday, March 20, 2020 at Grand Village (Grand Rapids, MN) with his daughter, Lynnette, son-in-law, Frank, and granddaughter, Rachel by his side. Bible reading and singing hymns were two of his favorite things, so his last hours were filled with both. Two of his favorite scriptures were John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”) and 1 Corinthians 6:19-21, which speaks of our bodies being the temple of God. He had given his life to Jesus at an early age and was assured of an eternity with his Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord”).
He was born to Frank and Gladys (Okerlund) Ecklund on March 7, 1927 in Omaha Nebraska. After graduating high school, he married the love of his life, Laurel Lundberg. They then entered the ministry and served together for 68 years. He received his master’s degree in 1970, and his doctorate in Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary in 1976.
Marvin was a pastor, radio Bible teacher, high school teacher, missionary, evangelist, church planter, and friend to all. His latter years were filled with writing devotional books for Bible Studies.
One of his most treasured memories from childhood was meeting a President, the Prime Minister of England, and the crowned prince of Denmark. He was able to present a Bible to each as a gift from the Boy Scouts of America as these dignitaries traveled though Omaha on train.
Throughout his life, Marvin enjoyed cars. He learned to drive on his grandpa’s Overland Whippet. He dated Laurel in a Model A, but his favorite car was a little red Volkswagen bug which he drove all over North America with a family of 6.
He also enjoyed being outdoors, taking long walks and spending mornings on the lake fishing – especially with his grandchildren. He was a great storyteller.
Marvin is survived by his wife, Laurel, 4 children; Larry (Betty) of Broadway, VA, Stanley (Portia) of Phoenix, AZ; Mark (Sylvia) of Houston, TX; and Lynnette (Franklin) of Balsam Township. He also has 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Because of the Covid-19 outbreak, a private graveside service was held on Monday, March 23rd and a memorial service will be held at a later date.
To send flowers
to the family, please visit our floral store.