Jerald William Ecklund

Jerald W. Ecklund, age 83 of Wolford Township died at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis on March 15, 2021.  He was born in Sisseton, SD on August 23, 1937 to Albin and Mary (Simmons) Ecklund.   He received a degree in Education from Chadron State in Chadron, Nebraska.  Jerry married Jeanne Planansky on June 8, 1963 in Hemingford, Nebraska.  He was a teacher and principal for 36 years, serving the school districts of Hemingford, Nebraska, Chadron, Nebraska and Redfield, S.D., Bagley and Crosby-Ironton.  He was a basketball coach for 20 years, leading several championship seasons.  Jerry had a love for hunting, fishing, and his cabin on the N.W. Angle.

Jerry is survived by his wife Jeanne; three daughters, Mary (Harry) Tollas of Baxter, Jody (Bart) Extrand of Omaha, Nebraska and Jackie (Heath) Janousek-Foss of Nisswa; and one grandchild, Janey Janousek.

Preceding Jerry in death are his parents; a daughter, Jacqueline and one brother, Jack Ecklund.

A Memorial Gathering will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, March 21, 2021 at the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.