Obituary of Carole Ruth Eklund

October 12, 1941 – Glendale, California

March 22, 2024 – Calgary, Alberta

Carole Ruth Eklund passed away on Friday, March 22, 2024, in Calgary, AB, at the age of 82 years.

Carole was born on October 12, 1941, in Glendale, California. She spent her early years in California until the age of fourteen, when the family moved to a farm in Boise, Idaho. It was there that Carole and her sister discovered their love for horseback riding. She attended Meridian, Boise, and Borah High Schools. Some of her interests during this time were taking dance lessons and playing the cello. Carole was in the inaugural graduating class at Borah High School in 1959. She went on to attend the University of Idaho, where she graduated with a degree in Home Economics. While in college, she met her husband, Dennis Eklund, and they were married on August 22, 1964. She began her teaching career in Boise, teaching at Fairmont Junior High School. After moving with her husband to Canada, she taught for nineteen years in Toronto, ON, and then completed her career in Calgary, AB, where she retired.

Some of Carole's passions included cooking, quilting, genealogy research, and travelling with her family. She also enjoyed wintering in Arizona, summer Stampede festivities in Calgary, shopping, and spending time with her cats. Carole will be remembered for her dedication to the students that she taught throughout her career. Known for her heartfelt sewing and quilting projects, Carole also dedicated her talents to crafting quilts for premature babies in hospitals. Throughout her life, Carole always touched the hearts of all who knew her with her smile, sense of humour, and positive outlook. Even in her later years, with the challenges she faced, she maintained a graceful, optimistic approach to life.

In the United States, Carole is survived by her aunt Jaye P. Morgan, sister Jacquie (Joe) Wickley, brother Tom (Michelle) Morgan, close cousin Kary (Richard) Riedel, and numerous other cousins. She is also survived by her nieces, Katie (Tim) Krupel, Kara (Kurt) Johansen, Nancy (Theo) Musick, and Sarah Morgan; nephews, Adam (Shannon) Wickley, John (Brittany) Morgan, and Nathan Morgan; and eleven grandnieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly. In Canada, Carole is survived by her sister-in-law Gladys Burnett, niece Shawna (Marc Wachmann) Burnett, and Gillian Skupa, her healthcare companion and friend.

Carole was predeceased by her husband Dennis Eklund, her parents, John T. and Dorothy Morgan; her youngest sister Dianne Louise Morgan, and her beloved cats, Ruffus and Sammy.

As the eldest sibling, Carole was a source of wisdom and guidance for her brother and sister. They will miss her dearly, but they are comforted by knowing God’s promise that they will see her again someday. Although Carole will be deeply missed by everyone, her legacy will live on through her beautiful quilts and the impact she made on her family, friends, and students’ lives. She will always be remembered for her kind heart, her delicious Caesar salad, and her love for her family. Carole was a devout Christian who lived by the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” In the words of Kimberly Rinehart, “A quilter treasures life’s moments, one stitch at a time,” and Carole truly exemplified this in all aspects of her life. 

Carole's family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at AgeCare Walden Heights, for their care and support throughout the years.

A Celebration of Carole’s Life will be held this summer at Joplin Cemetery in Boise, Idaho.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to The Alzheimer’s Association, Home Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601.  Tel: (1-800) 272-3900, www.alz.org. Please note Carole R. Eklund’s name and enter the address: Jacquie Wickley, P.O. Box 516, Hancock, MI 49930 when donating, so the family is notified of your tribute.

Carole's family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at AgeCare Walden Heights, for their care and support throughout the years.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Carole’s family here.

In living memory of Carole Eklund, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-276-2296.