Matilda (Tillie) Ekeland
1930 - 2013
Obituary
NORTH NEWTON - Matilda (Tillie) Ekeland, 83, died on Sept.
24, 2013, at the Newton Medical Center in Newton.
She was born on Sept. 13, 1930, to Katie (Koehn) and
Cornelius B. Unruh in Enid, Okla. On Sept. 9, 1956, she married Joseph (Joe)
Ekeland in Wichita. He died on April 4, 1996.
Tillie graduated from Grace Bible Institute and also earned
her registered nurse degree. She worked in the medical field, training at
Wesley Hospital in Wichita, until she and Joe started a family. Tillie then
stayed home to raise their three children, Mark, Marcia and Brian.
Tillie held a membership with Grace Community Church. She
spent many years volunteering for the Source of Light in Newton. She enjoyed
writing, and had several publications within the Source of Light literature.
When Tillie moved to Newton on July 4, 1997, she stayed
active with leading ladies ministries, as well as teaching ladies Bible study
groups.
Tillie was preceded in death by her parents and her spouse,
Joe; siblings, Deena Koehn, Mary Koehn, Lena Koehn, Lizzy Becker, Mabel Kauffman
and Dan Unruh.
Survivors include her three children and spouses and
grandchildren and spouses, Mark (Bonnie) Ekeland, Sedgwick, grandson, Jason
(Leah); great-grandchildren, Daniel and Matthew, Burrton, Justin (Sarah);
great-grandchildren, Judah and Alexis, Newton, Jeremy (Jennalee);
great-grandchildren, Julia and Jaxon, Newton; daughter, Marcia (John) Nicholls,
Fleming Island, Fla.; grandson, Tyler (Devyn), Lakeland, Fla.; grandson, Kyle
Nicholls, Orlando, Fla.; granddaughter, Charissa Nicholls, Buenos Aires,
Argentina; granddaughter, Melanie Nicholls, Orlando, Fla.; and grandson, Ryan
Nicholls, Fleming Island, Fla.; son, Brian (Melissa) Ekeland, Merriam;
grandchildren, Cory, Ryan, Brianne, Alex and Lindsey Ekeland, Merriam; sister,
Susie Neufeld; and three brothers, Walt Unruh, Paul Unruh and Leo Unruh.
A book signing will be available to visitors on Friday,
Sept. 27, 2013, at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Memorial services will be on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013, at 10
a.m. at Grace Community Church, Newton. Reverend Dave Reimer and Steve Friesen
will be presiding. There will be a private family burial held in Meno, Okla.
Memorials may be made to the Source of Light Kansas, in care
of the funeral home at 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.
Friends may sign the book online at
www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.
