Alvoy F. Ekblad

On Monday June 1, 2015 after a long battle with Alzheimer's, Alvoy F. Ekblad, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to many passed away. His family includes his wife of 69 years, Irene Ekblad; his four children, Lynne Ekblad Crutchfield (d. 2013) (John of Laporte), Cynthia Ekblad Meese (William) of Massachusetts, Kent Ekblad (Diann), and Larry Ekblad of Ft. Collins; eight grandchildren, John David Crutchfield (d. 1984), Erin Ekblad Edwards (Mike), Vicki Crutchfield Kersey (Clay), Shawn Ekblad (Jeremy Brunner), Robert Crutchfield (Alaina), Caleb Ekblad (Anne), Krysty Ekblad Williams (Ian), Jessica Meese; and great-grandchildren Richard and Hunter Edwards; Sophie, Savannah, and Sierra Falcone (Kersey); Cole, James, and Wyatt Williams; and Alexander Ekblad.

Alvoy is survived by his sister, Delores "Lully" Martin; and he was preceded in death by his parents, Enoch F. Ekblad and O'Della Larson Ekblad; four sisters, Vangie Nelson, Eunice Orson, Marge Alinder, and Dorothy Goehring; and three brothers, Elmond, James, and Charles Ekblad.

Alvoy (Al) was born in Willmar, MN, on January 5, 1920. Prior to his graduation from Willmar High School in 1938, Al was dubbed "Shadow" Ekblad for his athletic prowess in basketball, football and setting track records which still stand. After high school, Al studied aircraft construction and repair in Minnesota and then in San Diego, California ("Have you ever been to San Diego?"), and worked building military aircraft at Consolidated Aircraft prior to his enlistment in the Army Air Corps in 1942. He was assigned to the 389th Bombardment Group and was stationed at Hethal Field in Norwich, England, repairing B 24 turrets for planes flying bombing missions against enemy targets in the European Theatre. Preserved today are a large collection of remarkable photographs Al took and developed himself of life and activities on the air base.

Shortly after his return to the United States, he met Irene Hale in St. Louis, MO, and they were married on February 15, 1946. While heading west to San Diego to settle with other family members, the two stopped for a visit to Irene's sister in Fort Collins. Weeks turned into months, and, after working there briefly, Al purchased the Fort Collins Nursery from Clayton Watkins in 1946. He developed and grew the business for thirty years, including relocation from Laporte Avenue to the current location on Highway 14. After the sale of the business in 1976, Al started Northern Colorado Wholesale Nurseries, and later started a residential commercial tree spraying business. Over the years, Al planted and treated many of the trees that grace Fort Collins today. Alvoy was also inducted into the Colorado Nurseryman's Association Hall of Fame.

Al actively enjoyed working in the mountains, and annually sold Christmas trees, wreathes, and roping from materials he cut and hauled from permitted harvesting areas in the national forests.
Al and Irene were active members of Trinity Lutheran Church, helping to support and build two churches along the way. In 1961, Al was one of a small group of enthusiasts who conceived, purchased, and built what then became Sky Ranch Lutheran Bible Camp in Roosevelt National Forest. Al and Irene in their passion for helping others continued their support of Sky Ranch into recent years.

A Celebration of Life Open House for Alvoy Ekblad will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2015, from 12:00 to 2:00 PM at Trinity Lutheran Church, 301 East Stuart Street, Fort Collins, CO.

In consideration of Al's longtime devotion to Sky Ranch, the family would like donations in his memory to be directed to any of the following: Sky Ranch Lutheran Bible Camp, Larimer County Alzheimer's Support Group, or the Good Samaritan Society Loveland Village all in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.