Norwood “Woody” Arthur Ecklund, age 88 of Ellsworth, WI, went to be with the Lord January 16, 2021 at the Spring Valley Health Care Center.  Norwood was born June 27, 1932 in Ellsworth, WI to Arthur and Frances (Anderson) Ecklund.  He attended Ellsworth High School with the Class of 1950.  Norwood proudly served his country in the United States Navy.  On May 18, 1956, Woody was united in marriage to Norma Jean Stockwell at the Zion Covenant Church in Ellsworth.  Their union was blessed with a daughter, Pamela and son, Randall, and 65 years of marriage.  Woody worked as a mechanical engineer for FMC Corporation in Fridley, MN for 33 ½ years.

Woody was talented in building, constructing and woodworking.  He enjoyed turning wood on his lathes and made many beautiful gifts, which are now treasures, for those he loved.  He also helped in the construction of 2 new homes for his daughter.  Woody appreciated the peacefulness of the outdoors and raising his family on their lake home properties.  He relished in his time on the water, fishing and sharing in watersports with his grandsons.  He truly was a wonderful family man, who took great pride in his family and being surrounded by those he loved, especially during the holidays and family celebrations.  Woody and Norma were fortunate to share many winters in Arizona together.  There he delighted in dirt biking in the mountains and sharing many wonderful memories with his family.   Woody was a lifetime devoted member of the Zion Covenant Church in Ellsworth, and a proud member of the Kinne-Engelhart American Legion, Post 204 in Ellsworth.

Norwood will remain in the hearts of his loving wife, Norma; daughter, Pamela (Mark) Spence of Spring Valley; son, Randall Ecklund of Spring Valley; beloved grandsons, Brad (Rachel) Spence, Nathan (Sammy Jo) Spence and Gregory Spence; great-grandchildren, Samantha and Mason; sister, Dorothea Larson; brother, Eugene (Phyllis) Ecklund; brothers-in-law, Lyle (Shirley) Stockwell, Donald Stockwell and Calvin Stockwell; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Frances Ecklund; sister, Margaret (Chester) Nacey; brothers-in-law, Donald Larson and Lyle (Josephine) Stockwell; and sisters-in-law, Valerie Stockwell, Karen Stockwell and Delores (Dean) Loree.

A Memorial Service will take place 2:00 PM Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Zion Covenant Church, 210 N Beulah St., Ellsworth, WI, with Pastor David Hugare officiating.  A Gathering of Family and Friends (masks and social distancing required) will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.  Paying respect to Woody’s service to his country, military honors by the Kinne-Engelhart American Legion will follow the service at the church.  Private interment will take place at a later date at Zion Covenant Cemetery.

Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell-Benedict Funeral Home of Ellsworth (715) 273-4421.  www.oconnellfuneralservices.com