Chester Allen Eklund

Age 95, of North Oaks, MN. Beloved father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away peacefully at home on September 30, 2016. Known as Bud by his family, Chet by his friends and colleagues, and Bapa by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was a 40 year employee of Northwest Airlines, serving as senior captain, training instructor and Chief Pilot.Chet was born on June 6, 1921 and grew up on the East Side of St. Paul where he met the love of his life, Marjorie Wall. They both graduated from Johnson High School in 1939 and attended Macalester College. While a student at Macalester, Chet was hired by Northwest Airlines in 1941. He and Margie were married in 1943. In 1946, Chet, Margie and Chet's parents purchased a private, 60-acre estate on Whitefish Lake near Brainerd in central Minnesota. In 1947, they opened Fox Hunter Lodge, a family resort with ten "Ultra-Modern" guest cabins. Chet's parents ran the resort and he flew back and forth to help out in his personal float plane between scheduled Northwest flights. The resort operated for about 20 years until Chet's parents decided to retire. After leasing the resort to a church to be used as a camp for two years, Chet and his parents offered to sell the property. Fortunately, the church was unable to close the deal and the property remained in the family. This was to become Chet's legacy. Today, the Lodge and guest cabins are owned by family members and family friends.Most of the 60 acres have now been developed, including a horse ranch owned by daughter Jeanne, and Fox Island, a beautiful 12-acre island accessible by bridge and inhabited byfamily members and family friends. In what has now become known as "the compound," the 70-year old Fox Hunter estate has become the summer homes to dozens of aunts,uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all growing up together. Chet was a man of great faith, a devoted husband and father, and a strong and sensitive role model to dozens of admirers. While we will miss him dearly, he'll live on in the summer days we enjoy at The Lake with our Fox Hunter family.Chet was preceded in death by loving wife Marjorie, mother Esther, father Chester, step-father Larry Fox, sister Dorothy (Ed) Peterson, brother John (Marion), and sister-in-law Carol Fox. He is survived by brother Chuck Fox; sons Donald, Richard (Claudia), and daughter Jeanne Quillen; grandchildren Amy (Rhett) Fleming, Betsy (Chris) Kalgren, and Rich (Victoria); great-grandchildren Jane, Ellie and Charlie Fleming, Cal and Lyla Eklund, and Will and Olivia Kalgren. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, October 10 at 11:00 a.m. (with visitation one hour prior) at Waverly Gardens, 5919 Centerville Road, North Oaks. Private Interment. Memorials preferred to Presbyterian Home Foundation.

Tributes

Chester Allen Eklund

June 6, 1921 - September 30, 2016

Tributes

Chester Allen Eklund

June 6, 1921 - September 30, 2016

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