Obituary for Jeffrey Ekegren

Jeffrey William Ekegren of Elk River passed away peacefully on January 3, 2024 at the age of 76. He was surrounded by his family. Jeff was born June 30th, 1947 in Stillwater, Minnesota to Ruth Slone Ekegren and John Donald Ekegren. He grew up in Oak Creek, Wisconsin with his parents and two younger sisters, Sherry and Christina. It was in Oak Creek that he met the love of his life, Julie Anne Wagner. He was drafted, and served in the US Army after his college graduation from the University of Wisconsin Madison in 1969. Jeff then moved to Minneapolis and reunited with Julie. Jeff and Julie were married in 1973 and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last August with family. Jeff was diagnosed with late stage multiple myeloma in 1996 and underwent a bone marrow transplant with stem cells donated by his sister Christina Ekegren. Jeff lived 27 years after the transplant, blessed with the time to welcome his five beloved grandchildren; Antonio Carvale, Angelo Jeffrey Carvale, Eli Ekegren, Ally Ekegren and Cal Schmid. Jeff was a runner who completed several marathons and enjoyed reading throughout his life. He and Julie spent many years cheering for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, including basketball, football and volleyball. He was curious about everyone and everything and had a gift for making all of his friends and family feel loved, special and supported. He was accepting of all and compassionate to the very end. Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, aunts Harriet Johnson, DeLores Ecklund and Corinne Pahklamets. He is survived by his loving wife Julie Ekegren (Wagner), daughter Eryn, son Ryan (Gina), his sisters, many nieces and nephews, his grandchildren, and many friends and family members and brothers and sisters in faith. Jeff will be remembered always. A visitation will be held Sunday January 7 from 10 am to 1 pm, service at 1 pm at the Independent Apostolic Lutheran Church in Dayton, 14000 129th Ave. N., Dayton, MN 55327.