Beverly Ann Ecklund, 73, of Duluth, Minnesota, passed away on March 10, 2022 after her short, heroic battle with pancreatic cancer.
Bev was born on October 30, 1948 to Donald and Doris Young in Brainerd, MN. Bev grew up on the farm prior to moving to Richfield, MN. Along with her parents and two brothers, Bev often took road trips to see family where they camped, fished and enjoyed wild life. As she grew up, Bev became an active member of the Girl Scouts of America and took the world by storm on her many wild adventures. Bev truly had a traveler's heart. She went on to graduate from Richfield Highschool and later moved to Duluth, MN to attend the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 1971. Bev began her work with the Duluth Police Department in 1972. During her 26+ years with the Duluth Police Department, Bev became the department's first woman in Uniform Patrol, first woman Patrol Sergeant, and later was the first female Police Lieutenant in the Duluth PD and the State of Minnesota. She fought many battles in doing so, didn't take any lip, earned her place and was honored by the time spent with the Duluth PD. After her retirement, Bev continued her work at the University of Minnesota-Duluth as Chief of Police. The Beverly Eckund Law Enforcement Scholarship was her way of giving back to UMD and to encourage women who wished to pursue a career in law enforcement.
In 1982, Bev married the love of her life, Larry. Two peas in a pod, they were inseparable. Through different points in her life, Bev enjoyed bowling on a couple's league, playing softball with her team, the Bad News Bears aka Old Bats Old Balls, going to car shows as a member of the Classic Cruisers car club, reading, gardening, snowmobiling, feeding the birds, enjoying nature and spending time with her family and friends. Bev had a great sense of humor and taught her two girls to be wild, creative, stand up for themselves and of course "make good choices."
She is preceded in death by her parents Donald and Doris Young and sister Barbara. Bev will be deeply missed by her best friend, her pal and husband of almost 41 years, Larry, her two girls Allison Collins (Steven), Angela Taran (Luke), grandchildren Danika, Jack, Jace, Ramsey and Reid, brothers Roger Young (Jay) and Bob Young (Rachel), countless cousins, nieces and nephews, Linda Ittner, who was truly her soul sister and so many amazing friends.
A very warm thanks goes out to St. Luke's 2West team and Infusion team, Palliative Care Coordinator Lisa Gasele, Northshore Estates team and Memories Hospice Care team. Each day you worked with us you helped maintain dignity and the power of the human spirit.
Visitation will be held on Friday, March 18th at Sunrise Funeral Home and Cremation Services from 10 AM until the Memorial Service at Noon. Honor Guard provided by the Duluth Police Department.
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