Donald "LeRoy" Ecklund

Donald "LeRoy" Ecklund, 81, of Neenah, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at ThedaCare Regional Medical Center in Appleton. He was born on January 28, 1944, in Batavia, Illinois, to Albert and Selma (Hokonson) Ecklund. LeRoy's family moved to Waupaca, Wisconsin, when he was a young child, where he met his future wife, Lana Olson. They were married on June 6, 1963, and together they raised three children: Kirk, Keary, and Kamie.
In 1963, shortly after their marriage, the family relocated to Hilbert, Wisconsin, where LeRoy worked for Thiel's Milk Products. In the late 1960s, the family moved to Menasha, Wisconsin, where he worked for American Can. During this time, LeRoy purchased his own milk truck and began driving for AMPI and later for Alto. In 1971, they moved to Larsen, Wisconsin. In 1978, he transitioned to working as a salesman and distributor for Carolina Tool and Equipment. In 1982, he sold the milk hauling business and focused on equipment sales. In 1987, LeRoy, along with his wife and children, relocated to Jonesboro, Georgia, where they founded Ecklund Carriers, Inc. The family moved back to Neenah in 1989, continuing the operations of Ecklund Carriers, Inc., which is now known as Ecklund Logistics, Inc.
Outside of his work, LeRoy had a deep love for outdoor activities. He enjoyed snowmobiling in both the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Wisconsin, where he also raced snowmobiles in cross-country events and radar runs. LeRoy was an active participant in golf and bowling leagues over the years. He had a passion for fishing trips to Canada with his brothers-in-law: Butch Olson and Bobby Olson. LeRoy was an avid hunter, participating in hunts in Wyoming, Montana, and annually on his land in Waushara County, where he hunted with his sons and, later, his grandchildren. His love for golf took him all over the country, including a memorable trip to Spain in 1997 to attend the Ryder Cup. He also drove to Alaska, where he had the unique opportunity to golf at the world's northernmost golf course at the time.
LeRoy was known for his infectious positivity, always being the life of any gathering. He rarely complained, even in difficult times, and was always ready to offer words of wisdom. His warmth and generosity earned him the love and admiration of everyone who knew him.
LeRoy will be deeply missed by his children: Kirk (fiancée Dawn Benish) Ecklund, Keary (Tammy) Ecklund, and Kamie (Taylor Krueger) Ecklund; his grandchildren: Amanda (Adam) Hein, Megan Ecklund, Trenton (Serena) Ecklund, Tanor Ecklund, Tierney Ecklund, Bailey (Jesse) Patrick, Brynn Ecklund, Blake Ecklund, and Charles "Charlie" Ogden; his great-grandchildren: Evron, Eliyana, and Eadie Hein, Tucker and Carter Kuczala, Bentley Ecklund, Charlotte Rodrigues, Ace, Annistyn, and Ashor Ecklund, Jensen, Elle, and Harper Patrick, and Gavin and Gemma Carlson. He is also survived by his sister, Beverly Waterfield of Batavia, Illinois, as well as his in-laws: Robert (Shirley) Olson, Diane Martin, Andrea (James) McIntyre, and Cindy (Brian) Amundson.
In addition to his parents and wife, LeRoy was preceded in death by his sister Eileen (Thomas Schultz) Goggins Schultz, brothers Dan Ecklund, Larry Ecklund, Bart Ecklund, and Gary (Pat) Ecklund, and his sisters Virginia Lindenmeyer, Claire Watgen, and Sally (Dennis) Schmandt.
A funeral service to celebrate LeRoy's life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at Kessler Fahrenkrug Funeral Home, 304 S. Commercial Street, Neenah, Wisconsin 54956. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will continue until the service begins. Burial will follow at Clayton Cemetery in the Town of Clayton, Wisconsin.
In lieu of flowers, please send a Memorial in LeRoy's name to the Boys and Girls Club of Oshkosh, P.O. Box 411
Oshkosh, WI 54903-0411
920-233-1414
https://bgcosh.org/support/donate/
LeRoy will forever be remembered for his joyful spirit and unwavering love for his family.