George Aldrich EEKHOFF

EEKHOFF, EINHUIS, NELSON, RIGGS, MACK, BUENTING, CORNEJO-SURJAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/20/2010 at 11:06:34

February 7, 1933 -- October 18, 2010

BELMOND, IA - George A. Eekhoff, 77, of Belmond, died Monday, Oct. 18, 2010, at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital, Britt. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 21, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Belmond, with the Rev. Donna Buckman officiating. Burial, with full military honors provided by the Belmond Military Unit, will be in the Belmond Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. today, Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond, and continue one hour prior to the services at church Thursday, Oct. 21. The family suggests those considering a memorial in George's name consider Hospice of Wright County, the local Parkinson's Disease Chapter, the local Alzheimer's Association Chapter or in care of George's family.

George Aldrich Eekhoff, the son of George J. and Hannah (Einhuis) Eekhoff was born on Feb. 7, 1933, in Kanawha, and baptized in the Calvary Baptist Church, Belmond. He attended Kanawha Schools and following his sophomore year joined the United States Army. George proudly served his country in the Korean War and received many commendations including a Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Service medal, Occupation Medal (Japan) and National Service Defense Medal. George was honorably discharged as a corporal after three years and one day of service on Jan. 18, 1954. Upon returning to civilian life, George commenced his lifelong career as a co-owner of Nelson Sand and Gravel Company near Belmond.

He was united in marriage to Marilyn Nelson on June 23, 1957, at the Belmond Methodist Church. Their union was blessed with three sons: Brian, Kevin, and Todd. The couple raised their family in Belmond while George and his fellow owners operated their business for nearly 40 years. After the company was sold and became what is now known as Wright Materials, George continued his career as the general manager of the business for another 10 years. George was a hardworking man who always made sure the needs of his family were provided for and he truly enjoyed the fruits of his labors. He took tremendous pride in his children and grandchildren in all that they accomplished. He was their number one fan in life and along with Marilyn their number one cheerleader in all that they were involved in, both athletic and other extra-curricular activities. The couple would strive to make as many events as possible no matter how far the distance. They rarely missed a game or other event. George's love of sports and the youth of the world continued on after the kids had graduated, as he and his wife would attend numerous events of the school district and their grandkids activities whenever possible.

George loved sports and was an avid Iowa Hawkeye's fan, holding season tickets for many years and the family looked forward to times spent together on Hawkeye's tailgating excursions. He also enjoyed traveling to Buena Vista Beaver ball to watch Kevin play during his years there and was a Minnesota Vikings fan. George and Marilyn were longtime golf enthusiasts and had belonged to both the Klemme and Belmond Golf courses. George and his associates at the Sand and Gravel Company had helped to build both of the courses over the years and many of the ball fields in the area. George loved music and loved to take Marilyn on dancing outings to the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, and enjoyed their years wintering together in Apache Junction, Ariz. He looked forward to family camping trips, socializing with family and friends, and just having a good time. He had a soft spot in his heart for stray animals and would often adopt a stray dog. He was an excellent cook and one of his favorite pastimes was cooking breakfast for his family. Other hobbies included woodworking and making rocking horses and other special gifts for his family with his loving hands. He had an excellent mind and was a terrific mechanic. He was a true patriot and belonged the VFW in Belmond for more than 50 years.

George's family and friends will remember him as a man who would drop everything he was doing to help them in whatever they needed. No matter what else was in the way or task was needing completed, his family always could count on him being there for them. All who knew him will remember his quiet personality and gentle nature, yet when the occasion arose one couldn't avoid the warmth and depth of his wonderful laugh and sense of wit and humor and his well spoken words.

His memory will live on in the hearts and minds of his loving wife and devoted life partner of 53 1/2 years, Marilyn Eekhoff, Belmond; his three sons, Brian (Mary) Eekhoff, Flagstaff, Ariz., Kevin (Julie) Eekhoff, Lemars, and Todd (fiancee Marci) Eekhoff, Flagstaff, Ariz.; his brothers, Jake Eekhoff, Aitkin, Minn., and Hemmo Eekhoff, Belmond; his sisters, Marie Riggs, East Moline, Ill., Em Nelson, Belmond, Hannah Mack, Kennewick, Wash., and Cindy (Bill) Buenting, Antioch, Calif.; his grandchildren, Stephanie (fiancee Luke), Sioux City, Alex Eekhoff, Reno, Nev., and Brooke, Brianne, and Brittany, all of Flagstaff, Ariz., and a foreign exchange grandchild, Soledad Cornejo-Surjan, of Valleparasio, Chile. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Richard Eekhoff. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, IA.

Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa
October 20, 2010