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EKLUND -- Barbara R. Eklund, 86, passed away on March 6, 2010. She was born Barbara Jean Rhoads in Anita, Iowa to Frank Howard Rhoads and Ivadel Lewis Rhoads Sterner. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of fifty years, Eugene E. "Gene" Eklund, and her brother Gail "Whitey" Rhoads. She is survived by her two sisters, Margery Mensing of Montevideo, MN and Ann Tatum of Omaha, NE; her sons: Gary Eklund and wife Ruth of Redmond WA, Dr. Charles Eklund and wife Laurie, Steve Eklund, Roger Eklund and wife Myrene, all of Albuquerque; six grand children; and two great-grandchildren; and many wonderful friends. Barbara was a long-time resident of Albuquerque, NM where she raised her family and committed much time to community activities. She was a Cub-Scout Den mother for all four of her boys as well as many boys from the neighborhood. She was a member of the PTA, and served as an Election Polling Official for her neighborhood Precinct for many years. Barbara was also involved in coordinating the first "Arts and Crafts Fair" of Albuquerque that was originated in the Old Town Area. She was actively involved in purebred dog obedience training since the early 1960's, breeding and exhibiting Belgian Sheepdogs, which she dearly loved, for many years. She held lifetime memberships in both the Rio Grande Kennel Club and Sandia Dog Obedience Club, serving as president of the Rio Grande Kennel Club for many years and in practically every other office and position in each organization over the past several decades. She was a founding member of the Coronado Kennel Club and served as show chair for that organization's first shows. She assisted every year in coordinating certain activities for the annual Mother's Day Dog Show in Albuquerque. Barbara was a registered parliamentarian and member of both the National Association of Parliamentarians and New Mexico State Association of Parliamentarians for the past 39 years, and served as parliamentarian for each of the dog clubs. She was also a life-time member of the National Belgian Sheep Dog Association. In 1985 she moved with her husband Gene to the retirement home that he built in Placitas, NM where she enjoyed the rural setting. She was a loving and devoted wife and care-giver to Gene until his death in 1998. She continued to maintain an active involvement in the Kennel Clubs and also became a member of the Daughters of the Nile, in which she was a musician in the Oriental Band. Barbara was beloved by her many neighbors and friends and will always be remembered for her staunch independence and caring and kindness. Most recently as her health declined, she was able to find a wonderful care-giver, Donna Kie-Carney, who became her constant companion and friend, or as they referred to each other, "partners in crime". As she requested, Barbara was cremated and a memorial service will be held at the Ballut Abyad Shrine Center, 6600 Zuni SE, Albuquerque, NM at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 13, 2010. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
        Published on: Tue March 09, 2010