Trig Palmer Ekeland passed away in Greenville, TX, on August 4, 2009. He was born December 2, 1920, in Sioux Falls, SD, the son of Christian and Carrie Ekeland.
A veteran of WWII, Trig served as a Captain in the US Army Air Corps. He graduated from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD. A career YMCA man, Trig worked in Sioux Falls, SD, Wichita, KS, and San Antonio, TX, before moving to Greenville in 1969. He was executive director of the Greenville YMCA until his retirement in 1983.
Trig will be remembered for his love of family, his willingness to serve others, his generosity of spirit as well as finances, his quick wit, and his enthusiasm for sports of any kind (a passion for handball and racquetball – to the chagrin of many of his playing partners). He was an excellent example for his family, his church, and his community.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother Clarence Ekeland, Rapid City, SD. Trig is survived by his wife of 66 years, Arlene Owen Ekeland, Greenville, TX; sister Sylvia (Ekeland) Whitt, Houston, TX; brother Norman and Muriel Ekeland, Sioux Falls, SD; son Dr. Terry and Kellie Ekeland, Manvel, TX; daughter Kari & Col. Tom Bergfeld, Peyton, CO; five grandchildren, Robin (Ekeland) Jones, Kelli (Ekeland) Wegwert, Scott Ekeland, Lauren Bergfeld, and Bradley Bergfeld; and one great-grandchild, Michael Wegwert.
Visitation will be from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Friday at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home Chapel.
A Graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, August 11th at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls, SD, coordinated by Miller Funeral Home with family reception following.
The family wishes to express their profound appreciation for the love and care provided by the medical professionals at Hunt Memorial Medical Center and Briarcliff Nursing Center, both in Greenville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Trig’s name to Redeemer Lutheran Church, 2311 Ridgecrest Rd, Greenville, TX, 75402; Greenville YMCA, 1915 Stanford Street, Greenville, TX, 75401; or the Mary Crowley Cancer Research Center, 1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 1100, Dallas, TX 75201.
