Darrell W. Eckblad

Darrell W. Eckblad, 46, of Lake Placid, FL, went home to be with his Lord on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at his home, surrounded by his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.

Darrell was born on February 15, 1978, in Buffalo, Minnesota to Lois (Erickson) and Leonard Eckblad. His family later relocated to Belle Plaine, MN where he attended Trinity Lutheran School and graduated in 1996 from Belle Plaine High School. Darrell started working at a young age washing dishes, and later became a cook at Hutton’s Café in Belle Plaine. Darrell’s dream, even as a teenager, was to start and own his own business. He was a man with a vision. Darrell drove a semi-truck after high school, which led to the start-up of a family trucking business, Eckblad Trucking, LLC, in 2001 in his home state of Minnesota where his vision became a reality.

On October 9, 2004, Darrell married Jessica Sirek, and they were blessed with two children: Douglas (15) and Delana (11). Due to Darrell’s many health issues, he and his family relocated to Lake Placid, FL in August of 2014 where he continued to run and operate Eckblad Trucking, LLC. Darrell enjoyed volunteering at his church, dirt track auto racing, following NASCAR, and fantasy football. He especially enjoyed scaring family and friends for a good laugh. But most of all, put him behind the steering wheel of a big rig, sick or not, he was ready to roll on. Darrell’s passion revolved around his love of the Lord, his Church, family, and friends. He was a man who always “showed up.” He was a gentle giant, who always had a smile on his face. He will be remembered for showing up at someone’s home to lend a helping hand or fix anything that had been broken. He would drop whatever he was doing to help family and friends. He believed he was meant to help others, and it was God’s way of working through him. He was a big man with an even bigger heart.

Darrell was deeply loved and respected at First Presbyterian Church Lake Placid youth group where he chaperoned driving the bus back and forth to North Carolina every summer where the youth group attended church camp giving them the opportunity to share and grow in their faith. He served as a deacon of the church, was an advocate for Iglesia en Movimiento and was loved by both congregations, and he considered them part of his family. Darrell had a deep and abiding hope in Jesus Christ and was known for saying to many people before he passed, “If the good Lord takes me home, I win, and if He gives me more time for milestones with my kids, I win, but either way, I win.” Often, he could be heard repeating (with a strong Minnesota accent) one of his famous phrases such as “and whatever that there,” “two seconds,” “it’s one of those to where,” and especially “It’s like that there you know.”

He is survived by his loving wife of twenty years, Jessica, son; Douglas, daughter; Delana, mother and stepfather; Lois and Donald Wolters, two sisters; Deanna (Mike) Kolehmainen, Janeen Eckblad, six brothers; Daniel (Jackie) Eckblad, David (Lynnette) Eckblad, Rick (Lindy) Eckblad, Larry (Mary Jo) Eckblad, Brian (Laura) Eckblad, Darrin (Kate) Wolters; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Leonard Eckblad, sister Danielle Wolters,
brother Douglas Eckblad, father-in-law Bill Sirek, and grandparents.

A service to celebrate Darrell’s life will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 3 pm; visitation will start at 2pm and continue until the time of service at First Presbyterian Church Lake Placid Genesis Center (118 N. Oak Avenue, Lake Placid, FL 33852) with Pastors Ray Cameron, Drew Severance, Timothy Sewell, and Director of Youth, Reid Thayer officiating. This service will be live streamed online at: https://www.fpclp.com/

A Celebration of Life will be taking place in Minnesota, on Saturday, September 21,2024 at 11:30 am; visitation will start at 10 am and continue until the time of service at St. John Lutheran Church (148 S. Chestnut Street, Belle Plaine, MN 56011) with Pastor Diana Hunstad officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Jessica Eckblad donation account at MidFlorida Credit Union. Words of comfort to the family can be made by visiting www.scottfuneralservices.com. Arrangements entrusted with the Scott Funeral Home, 504 W. Interlake Blvd., Lake Placid, FL 863-465.4134.