
Richard Dean Eckhoff (Dick), age 82, of Cokato peacefully passed away on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023 in Dassel from cancer. A funeral service will take place at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22 with visitation one hour prior at St. James Lutheran Church in Howard Lake. Richard was born on April 9, 1941 to Mary Helen and William Eckhoff in Yakima, Washington. He married Judith Ardelle Eckhoff (Skjegstad) in 1959 on Oct. 24, 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 (Xcel 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 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 Minnesota 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, Jill Eckhoff; and sons, Douglas Eckhoff, Dale Eckhoff and David Eckhoff. He is also survived by grandchildren, Carl, Christopher, Abbey, Boen, Ruien, Colten, Benjamin, Zachary, Jesse, Aaron, Lauren, Justin, Michelle, Adam, Rachael, Nicholas, Madelyn; and great-grandchildren, Fischer, Natalie, Mackenzie, Everett, Eleanor, Sawyer and Griffin. He was preceded in passing by his parents; siblings, Roger and Barbara; and grandchild Andrew. Arrangements are by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato and Howard Lake, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-286-2534.