Richard Dean Eckhoff (Dick), age 82, of Cokato, MN peacefully passed away on Monday, September 18, 2023 in Dassel, MN from cancer. He was born on April 9th, 1941 to Mary Helen and William Eckhoff in Yakima, WA.
He married Judith Ardelle Eckhoff (Skjegstad) in 1959 on October 24th who was his childhood sweetheart since they were 15 years old and they had 63 years together. He graduated from Dunwoody Institute as a Master electrician, studied engineering at the University of Minnesota, and worked for NSP (Excel Energy) at various locations throughout the Midwest. He completed his career as owner of Eckhoff Services, an electrical engineering business. In 1974, the family moved from Coon Rapids to Cokato, MN to their family farm where they planted an apple orchard and specialized in polled Hereford cattle. He was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, served as an elder and managed the Benevolence program which helped many local families in need. He was an active volunteer at Pioneer Park in Annandale and an avid Case tractor collector and history enthusiast.
He is survived by his wife Judy, daughters Carrie Broenen, Lori Richter, Pamela Meyer (Brad), Jill Eckhoff and his sons Douglas Eckhoff (Ling Ling), Dale Eckhoff, and David Eckhoff (Melissa). Also survived by grandchildren Carl, Christopher, Abbey, Boen, Ruien, Colten, Benjamin, Zachary, Jesse, Aaron, Lauren, Justin, Michelle, Adam, Rachael, Nicholas, Madilyn, and great grandchildren Fischer, Natalie, Mackenzie, Everett, Eleanor, Sawyer, and Griffin. He was preceded in passing by his parents, siblings Roger, Barbara and grandchild Andrew.
A funeral service will take place at 2:00 PM on Friday, September 22, 2023 with visitation 1 hour prior at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato and Howard Lake, MN www.swansonpeterson.com 320-286-2534
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