Tracie Leigh Eklund

Tracie Eklund, age 56, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2024 at Midland Hospice House in Topeka, Kansas. Jesus reached out his hand and took her to heaven after an eleven-year journey with cancer. Tracie was born on August 4, 1968 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Dick and Carolyn Roller. Tracie attended elementary school in Scott City, KS where she met Janet Vaughan Borgognone who would become her life-long friend.

Tracie is survived by her husband Mike Eklund who she married on May 1, 1993, in Topeka, KS. Other survivors include their six children: Rachel Ciummo of Topeka, KS; Rebekah (Thomas) Plummer of Fayetteville, NC; Sarah (Austin) Field, Raytown, MO; Gideon Eklund of Houston, TX, and Faith and Abby Eklund, and her loving dog Tank. She is also survived by two granddaughters, Emily Field and Lydia Plummer. Additional survivors include parents Dick and Carolyn Roller, sister Tamara Roller, and in-laws, Phyllis and Richard Nelson and Darrel and Nilda Eklund, numerous cousins, and special friend Culleen of Springfield, MO.

Tracie attended Topeka West High School and then Washburn University. At Washburn she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a double major in English and German. Her junior year she served as editor of “Fresh Views” a publication of prose and poetry of students of the English Department. She was a member of Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society for English students, Kappa Psi Chapter of Phi Sigma Iota Honor Society for foreign language students and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. For the 1990 – January 1991 school year, she was awarded a Thomas and Carole Wright Study Abroad Award. She was included in the 1991 edition of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. As a senior Tracie was chosen by her German professors at Washburn to attend the University of Klagenfurt in Klagenfurt, Austria which she attended in 1990. She was the first Washburn student to study abroad on a newly established exchange program between the two universities.

Tracie was a generous lady, often including those who had no place to go for their holiday celebrations. Her favorite color was red. She enjoyed playing the piano, all things vintage and retro (recent purchase of 1976 pop-up camper), cooking, home improvement projects, gardening and crafting. She had installed ceramic tile, hardwood floors, and purchased and installed kitchen cabinets in their present home. Tracie had a strong belief in God. Her unwavering fight and determination to beat cancer and stay alive for the family was inspiring. During her illness Tracie never lost her sense of humor or complained about having cancer. Shortly before her death she informed her Dad that though the angels would rejoice when she reached heaven, she did not want them rejoicing prematurely!! She was a true warrior.

Memorial services will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, December 21st, Highland Heights Christian Church, 2930 SE Tecumseh, Topeka, KS. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service.

Memorial donations may be made to Midland Hospice. The family would like to thank Dr. Mehmood Hashmi, Oncologist, Dr. Kim and her wonderful palliative care team, the wonderful nurses at Cotton O’Neil Cancer Center and Midland Hospice for the excellent care provided Tracie during her cancer treatment. Dove Cremations and Funerals is assisting the family.