Eileen (Oetker) Ekvall

Eileen Marie Ekvall, 74 of Marshalltown, passed away on June 26, 2026, surrounded by her family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marshalltown. Eileen will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

Eileen was born June 2, 1952, the third child to Robert Henry and Mary Katherine (Knoll) Oetker. The family farmed near Haverhill, Iowa until 1954, when they moved to Marshalltown. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from Lenihan Catholic High School in 1970. Eileen received an Associate of Arts Degree from Marshalltown Community College in 1972. She worked in Des Moines at The Principal Life Insurance Company in the Settlement Options Department, using her shorthand and typing skills. In 1973, she moved back to Marshalltown and began working at Fisher Controls.

On July 25, 1974, she was united in marriage to Victor Joseph Ekvall, Jr. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marshalltown. They lived in Germany while Vic served in the U.S. Army and then moved back to Marshalltown in 1977. She returned to work at Fisher Controls and spent the next 35 years working as an Administrative Assistant. Vic and Eileen lived in Bullhead City, Arizona for almost 7 years after retirement. They moved back to Iowa in 2018.

Eileen was actively involved with her children’s (Joe and Katie) school and sports activities as they were growing up. She enjoyed reading, walking, puzzles, computer games and traveling.

Eileen was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021. In 2023, she began participated in two clinical trials at Mayo Clinic that prolonged her life and also contributed to research advancement for cancer. Vic drove her to every appointment, supported and encouraged her.

The family would like to thank Dr. Karthik Giridhar, Jamie Carrol, and all of the staff in the Oncology department for the wonderful care she received at Mayo for three years.

She is survived by her husband, Vic, and her children Joe Ekvall (Kristine) of Safford, Arizona and Katie Ekvall of Ames; her siblings Bob (Janette) Oetker of Melrose, Rosemary (Phil) Straub of Saginaw, Michigan, John (Deb) Oetker of Marshalltown, Steve Oetker of Marshalltown, Chuck Oetker of Des Moines, Larry (Leigh) Oetker of Manila, California, and Jenny (Bob) Sickles of Marshalltown.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bob and Mary Oetker, and her sister, Margaret Oetker.

-Lovingly written by the family.

Mitchell Family Funeral Home has been entrusted to care for Eileen and her family. To leave online condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.

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