Doris Arloween Hove was born March 13, 1928 in rural Ulen Township to Conrad and Mearl (Ashmore) Hove. She was baptized at Atlanta Lutheran Church and later confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Growing up, Doris attended Ulen Public School and graduated with the class of 1946. Following high school, she went to Business College in Detroit Lakes, MN.

On January 29, 1950 Doris was united in marriage to Donald Eklund at the Bethlehem Lutheran Parsonage in Ulen. The couple made their home in Fossum Township for three years before moving to a farm, southwest of Ulen. This is where they farmed and raised their family of seven children. In 1979, Doris and Donald retired and moved into Ulen. Doris entered the Viking Manor Nursing Home in 1998, where she continued to make her home until her death on Saturday, February 28, 2009. Doris was 80 years old.

Over the years, Doris kept busy with many different tasks. She enjoyed gardening, tending to her flowers, canning and cooking; she helped with the making of the potato salad for the annual Turkey BBQ held in Ulen. Doris also had a knack for sewing, whether it was quilting, needlepoint, hardanger or simply teaching her daughters to sew. She has completed many pieces that now adorn the homes of friends and family. As a life long member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Doris participated in many church functions. She served with the ladies aid, circle, prayer chain and memorial committee, Dorcas Circle card chairman and also as past memorial secretary. Other pastimes included spending time with friends and family, especially her grandchildren, always keeping her door open for all kids in the neighborhood and volunteering at Viking Manor. Doris held memberships with the Homemakers Club, Viking Manor Guild and was a 4-H leader for many years.

Doris is survived by her husband of 59 years, Donald of Ulen; three sons: Donald "Ike" (Diane Zurn) Eklund of Detroit Lakes, MN, Conard (Sheila) Eklund of Moorhead, MN, and Dean (JoLeen) Eklund of Lake Park, MN; four daughters: Betty (Nolan) Paurus of Wolf Lake, MN, Arloween Eklund of Ulen, Kathryn (Mark) Syverson also of Ulen and Shila (Charles) Hilde of Felton, MN; 16 grandchildren: Jill (James) Ojala, Tammy (Randy) Torma, Rory (Fiancée, Kayla Jorgenson)Paurus, Ross Paurus, Holly Paurus, Kelly Paurus, Beth (Brad) Myllykangas, Cameo (Brian) Fetyko, Jacob Eklund, Jessica (Travis) Krabbenhoft, Craig Syverson, Andrew Eklund, Anthony Eklund, Joshua Hilde, Meagan (Fiancé, Wayne Niemi) Hilde and Chelsey Hilde and seven great-grandchildren: Amber and Austin Torma, Cole and Olivia Ojala, Gage and Rylee Paurus, and Blake Myllykangas. She was preceded in death by her parents and a granddaughter.
Blessed be the memory of Doris Eklund.

Funeral Services for Doris was held Wednesday, March 4, 2009 at 11 am at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ulen.