Craig J. Ekeland

Craig Ekeland, age 75, of Sioux Falls, passed away Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Sanford USD Medical Center. His Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, October 11th, at the First Lutheran Church, 327 S Dakota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Thursday, October 10th at the George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls.

Memorials can be made to Lifescape or Sioux Falls Humane Society. 

Craig John Ekeland was born on May 25, 1949 to Clare and Aline (Haakinson) Ekeland in Rapid City, SD. He attended school in Rapid City, graduating from Rapid City High School in 1967. His boyhood in Rapid City included Boy Scouts, playing baseball on the legion teams, camping and fishing in the Black Hills and mountains of Wyoming. In high school he lettered in tennis and was active in theater and chorus. He sang with the All-state Chorus. He attended Augustana College, graduating in 1971. At Augustana he played baseball, lettering four years, participated in football and was president of the WEBs. It was at Augustana where he met the love of his life, Mary Isham. They were married August 14, 1971. They had one daughter, Amy.

Craig started his professional life as a physical education teacher in Canton, SD. In Canton he was active in the Lions Club, President of the Canton Education Association and the Canton golf club. He was also instrumental in beginning the elementary wrestling program in the district. After leaving teaching, he pursued a career in business, working as a store manager for Graham Goodyear Tires. In retirement Craig substitute taught in the Sioux Falls School District.  

Craig was an avid golfer and fisherman. In retirement he could often be found on the golf course or in his boat on a South Dakota lake or at the Missouri River, unless his beloved Green Bay Packers were playing. Then he was in front of the TV! For his 70th birthday, Mary gave Craig two tickets to a game at Lambeau Field, and he took his brother with him.  He and Mary loved to travel, especially to Hawaii, Florida and Mexico. As a young couple, they visited Norway, where they met extended-family members, who became life-long friends. Craig made friends wherever he went. Some of his and Mary’s best times were those spent with the dear friends they made at Augustana and at the schools where he and Mary taught. All of his many friends would tell you that Craig had the gift of gab! No one could tell a story like Craig! 

Craig was also a dog lover. Over the years, he and Mary had many dogs, and in his final hours, Mary did the story telling, reminding him of each of their beloved dogs, and played Hawaiian music to soothe him. He was also an enthusiastic hunter and enjoyed turkey, pheasant and goose hunting with friends. He was a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Another passion that he and Mary shared was their beautiful yard. They spent many hours working together, planting flowers and landscaping their gardens. Their backyard was a peaceful sanctuary for them both. 

But the role that he truly cherished most was being Amy’s dad. He was so loving, so protective, so kind and patient, so indulgent to her every wish. She adored him. She was definitely Daddy’s girl. 

Craig’s final act of kindness was as an organ donor. His selfless gift was inspired by his brother, who was an organ recipient. Craig was so grateful to the two people (Becky’s cousins) who gave Mark a liver and a kidney. They saved his life. Craig’s donations will save lives. 

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife of 53 years, Mary, his daughter, Amy; his brother, Mark (Becky); sister, Lani (Dick) Phillips; brother-in-law, Steve Meillier; special nieces, Jane Fross and Elizabeth Ekeland, and several other beloved nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews along with several cousins. Craig was preceded in death by his parents, several aunts and uncles, cousin, Debbie Ekeland and his sisters-in-law Libby Meillier and Judy Bowen.