Obituary of Mearl Eklund

Mearl June Eklund passed away on Sunday, October 30, 2022 at Long Term Care, in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, at the age of 83 years. Mearl was born on July 31, 1939 to Edith and Earl Thompson. She was the fourth child, joining Gerald, Shirley, and Doris. They later welcomed their little sister Maxine. Mearl grew up on the family farm near Coppen, Saskatchewan and they later moved to Bateman, Saskatchewan. She graduated from Bateman high school in 1958 and moved to Moose Jaw to attend teachers’ college. After graduating with her teaching certificate in 1959, she landed her first job in McCord. It was here that she met her soulmate, Glenn Eklund. They were married on July 7, 1961 at Bateman United Church. They lived and worked in several communities then moved to Assiniboia in 1975 with their three daughters Janice, Kim and Raelynn. Mearl substitute taught in Assiniboia until 1979, when she opened an in-home daycare. Mearl ran her daycare, a well-oiled machine for 22 years, taking care of hundreds of children- many who brought their own children back to Mearl’s. She was a gifted and talented seamstress, cross stitcher, embroiderer, and quilter. Many hours were spent sewing items including bridesmaid dresses, Barbie clothes and mending/altering clothing. She also hand stitched incredible quilts and baby quilts for many, including a graduation quilt for each one of her precious grandsons. Mearl was a wonderful cook preparing everything from scratch. Her specialties were homemade bread, buns, cinnamon buns and donuts. Mearl and Glenn’s home was always open to family and friends, where great memories of dancing, card playing, and socializing were had. They enjoyed travelling-taking bus trips, an Alaskan Cruise, fishing trips and many trips to Cowboy Poetry.  Mearl was an awesome mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister, aunt, friend and caregiver. It gives us great comfort to know Mom is reunited in heaven with her husband Glenn Eklund and infant son Steven Glenn Eklund; siblings Gerald Thompson, Doris Paton, Shirley (Leo) Hawes and Maxine Smith; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Vernon Eklund, Fay (Melvin) Mastad, Gail Eklund and Geraldine (John) Munn. Mearl is survived by her loving family, daughters Janice (Dan) Cayer, Kim Eklund, Raelynn (Greg) Nicholson, grandsons Tyrell, Reece, Lane (Wyleen), Carson (Celina) Cayer, Cooper (Joanie) and Mason (Hunter) Nicholson and great-grandchildren Myah, Vyola, Burkley, Roan, Maverick; sister-in-law Jane Thompson and brothers-in-law Earl Paton, Ian Smith and Doug Eklund. A funeral service was held on Friday, November 4, 2022, 2:00 pm at Piché - Hawkins - Grondin Funeral Chapels in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan. Special reading was shared by Greg Nicholson. The pallbearers were Mearl’s grandsons, Tyrell Cayer, Reece Cayer, Lane Cayer, Carson Cayer, Cooper Nicholson and Mason Nicholson, who also gave the eulogy and shared special memories. Words of remembrance were spoken by Darlene Hawes and the picture tribute was prepared by Joanie Tyler. Mearl will be laid to rest at the Bateman Cemetery. Memorial donations to South Country Health Care Foundation were greatly appreciated.