Richard Alan Ekedahl a "great Statesman of the Lord", passed away on Thursday morning March 14, 2019, at the Lancaster Care Center in Lancaster at the age of 84. Richard was born on August 15, 1934 in Oak Park, IL the son of Ossian Carl and Carolyn Edna (Bolton) Ekedahl. He was united in marriage to Barbara Oehme on July 29, 1978 at the Moody Church in Chicago, IL.
Richard’s passing concludes his earthly longevity, far surpassing medical expectations. In 1946 Rich was one of the early pioneering Blalock Procedures, operated on by Dr. Alfred Blalock himself, for “Blue Babies” born with Tetralogy of Fallot, four heart Defects at birth, at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, where they continue to document and archive the phenomena of Rich’s full abundant life. Throughout his life he also had two open-heart surgeries, “terminal” cancer, Alzheimer’s and more than 12 strokes.
Richard was appreciated and valued wherever he put his effort; serving as a Deacon and Staff member of Moody Church, working at Cassville and Bloomington schools, establishing with Lowell Bush the Christian radio stations in Lancaster, as well as Macon, GA, Panama City, FL, Flagstaff, AZ, Wichita, KS, Friederick, MD, and others. He and his son volunteered at the AirVenture Airshow in Oshkosh, WI.
Richard leaves his wife of 41 years Barbara Ekedahl of Lancaster, son Erik Richard (Sarah) Ekedahl of Lancaster, stepdaughter Lysbeth A. (James) Loney of Ft. Atkinson, WI, and foster daughter Patricia (David) France of Dublin, Ireland, grandchildren; Megan (Justin) Warburton of Savannah, GA, Devin Warburton of Madison, WI, Kaitlyn (Ronnie, daughter Adrienne) Scholl of Potosi, WI, and Nolan (Chelsie) Warburton of IA, Chloe and Charlotte (“Charlie”) France of Ireland, Jael Ekedahl of Lancaster, along with great grandchildren. Sister; Marilyn (Donald) Oberg of Itasca, IL, three nieces; Deborah (Ronald) Maier, Penni (George) McCumber, Linda Oberg. Sister-in-laws; Kathryn L. Teaters of Albuquerque, NM, and Lynn (Glenn) Brill of SC and their families.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his nephew Donald Oberg Jr.
We rejoice in knowing he is with the Lord, experiencing glory in perfect health with the God he joyfully served for most his life. Richard donated his body to the U.W. Medical Science, so there will be no visitation or funeral service at this time. Gifts can be directed to Moody Church, 1635 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60614. www.moodychurch.org. The Larson Family Funeral Home of Fennimore assisted the family.