Marion E. Eklund

Marion Elizabeth (Larson) Nelson Eklund, 104, of Lindsborg, KS and formerly of McPherson, KS, peacefully passed away on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Bethany Home, Lindsborg.

She was born in Foster City, MI, on May 23, 1922, to Olaf Alfred and Anna Charlotta Larson. Marion was raised in a loving Christian home and Covenant church where she accepted Christ as Savior at age 13. She attended grade school and high school at the Foster City-Felch, MI schools. Following high school graduation, Marion moved to Chicago, IL, working as a maid in a wealthy home and then in an office for two years. She attended North Park College and Bible School for three years. Over the years, Marion worked as a Parish worker in the Lake View Covenant Church in Chicago, IL, First Covenant Church in Tacoma, WA, and Edgewater Covenant Church in Chicago, IL. For two years, she worked as a home missionary in rural Fairhope, AL.

In 1952, Marion married Paul Norman Nelson and together, they served churches in Bristow, NE, Larchwood, IA, Odebolt, IA, Twin Lakes, MI, McPherson (New Gottland), KS, and Florence, KS (United Methodist Church).

Paul died in 1979. She married Alfred Eklund in 1986, in McPherson, KS, and moved to Lindsborg, KS in 1994. Al died on August 2, 2010. Marion was a member of the Lindsborg Covenant Church, active in Missions Interest and tried to be helpful in other activities.

Marion was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; one son, Mark; step-son, Charles Eklund; one sister, Armeda; and four brothers, Lawrence, Robert, Edward, and Herbert Larson.

She is survived by daughter, Janelle (Russell) Schmalz; step-daughter-in-law, Caroline Eklund; grandson, Dakota (Abbey) Schmalz; great-grandchildren, Georgia Elizabeth, & Judah Ford Marion Schmalz; step-grandchildren, Rebekah Eklund, Lukas Eklund, Kim Fitzgerald, and Shannon Swanson; eight step-great-grandchildren; and many extended relatives.

A graveside service will be held at 9:00 AM, Saturday, September 12, 2026, at McPherson Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 10:30 AM, Saturday, September 12, at Evangelical Covenant Church (Lindsborg) with Rev. Jeff Waugh officiating.  To view a live stream broadcast of the service, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Memorial donations are suggested to Evangelical Covenant Church or Bethany Home in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460.