Gary Laine Eklofe

Gary Laine Eklofe

Veteran of United State Army

May 25, 1949 – August 29, 2020

Our beloved Father, Grandfather, Son, Brother and cherished Friend of many received his angel wings and went to be with the Lord on August 29

th

, 2020. He passed peacefully in his home in Gilbert, Arizona surrounded by his family.

Gary was born May 25, 1949 to Alvin and Ruth Eklofe in Morton Mills near Red Oak, Iowa. He was blessed to be one of 20 siblings, one of nine brothers and eleven sisters. The family grew up in rural Iowa and everyone had a job to do on the farm. Sunday dinners consisted of fried chicken or roast beef, and suppertime on Sunday was vegetable soup and Jell-O while watching Lassie, the Wonderful World of Disney and the Ed Sullivan show. Gary loved the fall and the memories of baling hay with his brothers. Gary was an exceptional athlete, holding numerous track records at his local school. Classmates nicknamed him “Stud” for his many achievements. He served in the United States Army, and often spoke fondly of his time spent in Germany.

Gary’s career with Pepsi Bottling Co. took him to Flagstaff, Arizona in 1979 and he retired in 1997 and moved to Chandler, AZ to spend time with his children and grandchildren.

He had an abundant love for nature and spent many years exploring the beauty of Arizona. He enjoyed camping, hiking, fishing, boating and swimming in areas from Lake Powell, the Grand Canyon, San Francisco Peaks, Whitehorse Lake, the red rocks of Sedona, Ashurst Lake and the Mogollon Rim to name a few. In his younger days, he had a love for gambling and still enjoyed his scratchers!

Gary was an avid sports fan. He loved his Iowa Hawkeyes and Kansas City Chiefs but nothing brought him more joy than spending time with his family. He was the best Father “Daddy” and Grandfather “Papa and G-Pa”. He loved gardening and had a green thumb. Gary had a ornery smile and his mother’s twinkling blue eyes. To know him was to love him. He was a kind, generous and humble man. The most selfless, that would offer anyone the shirt off his back or last dollar. He was also very strong and hard-working. One that cared about other’s needs before his own, always.

Gary is survived by Linda Eklofe, his son, Christopher (Kalee) Eklofe, of Gilbert, AZ and daughters, Melissa (Russell) Thompson of Chandler, AZ and Nicole (Stephen) Roberts of Gilbert, AZ. His grandchildren: Douglas Laine Eklofe, Brent Michael Eklofe, Noah Ramon Rodriguez, Stella Elizebeth Rodriguez, Laine Stephen Roberts, and Stevie Nicole Roberts, all of Gilbert, AZ and Lauren Roberts of Ankeny, IA.

Surviving Siblings: Larry Eklofe, Jerry (Becky) Eklofe and Bob (Linda) Eklofe all of Ottumwa, IA.,  Violet Zook, Marlin Eklofe, Delna Eklofe, and Bonnie (David) Kopsieker, all of Hedrick, IA., Marlene (Darrell) Black of Davenport, IA., Chuck (Cheryl) Eklofe of Fremont, IA., Leona (Darrell) Swope of Bloomfield, IA, Dixie Carder of Waukee, IA, Collen Conger of Ollie, IA., Tina Eklofe of Oskaloosa, IA.,Rick (Joy) Eklofe of Pella, IA and Loretta (Willy) Messerschmidt of Martinsberg, IA.

He is proceed in death by his parents, Alvin “Swede” and Ruth Eklofe. Brothers, Sam Eklofe and Joe Eklofe and sisters, Sandra Bloomquist and Mary Ann Knotts.

Gary will be missed dearly. The family is asking in lieu of flowers that any donation be made to Hospice of the Valley @HOV.org.

The family will be having a celebration of life and spreading of ashes in Flagstaff, AZ and Iowa at  later dates.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints “ Psalm 116:15