L. James Ekeland, 79, died Saturday, October 9, 2021 at his home in Urbandale, Iowa. He was born on April 21,1942 in Des Moines, Iowa.
Jim graduated from Perry High School, Perry, Iowa in 1960 and continued his education at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He was employed by Oscar Mayer Foods for nearly 30 years in Davenport and Perry, Iowa, and Madison, Wisconsin as a food technologist, foreman and buyer. Anyone who knew Jim would tell you he was kind and generous, and that his greatest joy was making people smile. Jim loved his family, and treasured every moment spent laughing and telling stories.
Jim is survived by his wife of nearly 58 years, Maureen, his children Chris (Melanie) Ekeland of Overland Park, Kansas and Jennifer (Joel) Ruggle of Waukee, Iowa; five grandchildren, Scott (Katie) Lipovac of Overland Park, Kansas, Lisa (Brian) Graves of Prairie Village, Kansas, Kane Ekeland of Ottawa, Kansas, Katie and Gus Ruggle of Waukee, Iowa; two great granddaughters, Olivia Graves and Kailani Lipovac; his sister, Susie Clouser of Waukee, Iowa; and his much loved nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Ekeland of Huxley, Iowa and Trena Cuthbertson of Perry, Iowa, his brothers in-law, Mike Clouser, and Clarence “Butch” Murphy, nephew Stacey Murphy, and his sister-in-law’s husband, Larry Killmer.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Gastro Grub & Pub at 1378 East Hickman Road in Waukee, Iowa from 4-6 on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. His family will be present and invite you to come share a memory and maybe a story or two in his honor.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, the Animal Rescue League of Iowa or a charity of your choice. If you’re a flower person, Jim would suggest that you buy flowers for someone you love.
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