Albert Eklund

Albert Donald "Don" Eklund, 74, died Monday, Feb. 27, 2006, following a lengthy illness.

Don was born on Oct. 30, 1931, in Roundup, to Oscar and Katherine (Munyun) Eklund. Shortly thereafter, the family moved from nearby Melstone to Conrad, where they homesteaded. He attended schools in Conrad and following high school graduation, attended Montana State College in Bozeman, where he earned a degree in agricultural education. Following graduation, he was inducted into the Army and following two years of active service at Fort Bliss, Texas, was transferred to the Army Reserve.

Following his discharge, Don moved to Hettinger, N.D., where he took up teaching. There he met and courted Ruth Merwin Schulz, and on Dec. 22, 1957, they married. Together they raised Ruth's daughter, Charmayne, and four more children they had together.

In 1989, due to Ruth's failing health, they moved to Livingston, where Don accepted a position with the U.S. Postal Service. Don lovingly cared for his wife until her death in 1997 and continued working for the Postal Service until his health forced his retirement in 2000.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Ruth.

Survivors include his children and their families, Charmayne and Daniel Black of Livingston, Julie and Jim Conway of Butte, Daniel and Marsha Eklund of Butte, John and Missy Eklund of Great Falls and Paul and Donna Eklund of Rapid City, S.D.; sister and brother-in-law, Mabel and Ralph Bull of Cottage Grove, Ore.; grandchildren, Christie Bonko of Whitehall, Philip Black of Butte, Gabriel Black of Livingston, Eric Eklund and Jilliona Eklund of Great Falls and Tamar Eklund and Alex Eklund of Rapid City; great-grandchildren, Shiloh Stanyer and Kelsey Bonko of Whitehall.

Don's remains have been cremated in Butte. Memorial services are 2 p.m. Saturday in Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Livingston.

Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com/obits.