“The Lord is My light and salvation”
Psalm 27-1
The Lord called Marinus Ekkel home on July 5, 2026, after a remarkable life of 95 years.
Born in Nijverdal, Overijssel, The Netherlands, Marinus was the youngest of nine children born to Jan Hendrik and Janna Ekkel. During WWII, a bombing raid claimed the life of their eldest brother and destroyed the neighbourhood where they lived, resulting in the loss of their home and possessions. In 1949, he emigrated to Canada with his mother and siblings.
The family settled in the Iron Springs area of Alberta, where Marinus began working in the sugar beet fields. He later found employment at Ed's Garage in Iron Springs. From 1966 to 1968, he lived in Kamloops, BC, before returning to Iron Springs to take over the garage, renaming it as M&T Service and operating it until his retirement in 2000.
Marinus will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 64 years, Tina Ekkel; his children, James (Shannon) Ekkel, and their children Kayla (Jessie), Marina (Connor), and Joshua (Krystal); Duane (Debbie) Ekkel, and their children Alexander, Nadia, William, and Natasha; Lorraine Duhaime (Tim) and Peter Vreeken; and Myra Ekkel (Mark Sentis); sisters in law Roelie Ekkel and Florence Vegter; his nephew Henry (Arlene) Ekkel and their children Rylan, Miranda (Brandon), Jesse, and Thomas, whose support meant much to Marinus in his later years.
He was predeceased by his parents and by his eight siblings.
A Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 PM, on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at HUNTSVILLE CEMETERY, Township Rd 112, Iron Springs, AB.
A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM, on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH, 220 Centre St. Iron Springs, AB., with Pastor Brian Corr officiating. To watch the service via livestream, please go to https://www.youtube.com/@ironspringscrc3875