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Howard Einar Ecklund, born Aug. 18, 1915, in St. Paul, Minn., died Feb. 7, 2005, in Forest Lake, and was a long-time resident of Chisago City.

He was recently at Birchwood Nursing Home, Forest Lake.

He is preceded in death by parents, Einar and Esther (nee Gustafson) Ecklund; three wives: Grace, Irene and Arlene (Baker) Ecklund.

He is survived by sisters: Lorraine Lewis, St. Paul, and Mildred Larson, Glentana, MT; stepchildren: Joelene Baker, Joy Griffin and David Baker, and nieces and nephew.

He was a veteran (U.S. Coastal Artillery, 1941-1945) stationed in Pearl Harbor, Gilbert/Marshall Islands, and Iwo Jima.

He worked at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company.

Memorial service 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005, at Zion Lutheran Church, 28005 Old Towne Road, Chisago City, MN 55013; 651-257-2713. Memorial visitation one hour prior to service at church. Private family burial at Chisago Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred to Zion Lutheran Church. Grandstrand Funeral Home, Lindstrom, 651-257-4000, in charge of arrangements.

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