Juanita "Toni" Eklund

Juanita Mae Eklund, 89, of Clay Center, died Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the Clay County Medical Center in Clay Center, Kansas.Juanita “Toni” Mae (Antoine) Eklund was born June 8, 1928, in Sedalia, Missouri. Her parents were Julius and Marie (Ashbrook) (Salley) Antoine. Toni was graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia, Missouri; and then attended McPherson Christian College in McPherson, Kansas. She left college to marry Donald M. White of Salina, Kansas in the spring of 1947. In May of 1956 Don died of work-related injuries. Toni was left a widow with three children, Sherry (8), Steve (6), and Greg (4). In 1961 Toni married Emery R. Eklund of rural Miltonvale, Kansas. He always said he married a family. Together they farmed south of Miltonvale where Toni happily assumed the role of a busy farm wife and mother. She loved to cook! In 1963 she and Emery welcomed Mark who completed the family—now six in number. Emery and Toni were members of the Miltonvale F.C. Hill Memorial Wesleyan Church. Following retirement from being actively engaged in farming, they continued to live on the farm, but took time to travel, enjoy bus trips and go on cruises. The couple enjoyed contact with their extended family, and with friends and neighbors who frequented the Kountry Kafe and senior citizens’ center in Miltonvale. After Alzheimer’s invaded Toni’s life, Emery faithfully cared for her until they both entered Clay Center Presbyterian Manor in February of 2017. Toni entered eternal rest on March 17, 2018, at the age of 89 years, 9 months, and 9 days. Toni will be remembered as a woman of faith and one who enjoyed crocheting, gardening, flowers, sewing, a new recipe, written correspondences, and time with family and friends. Left to survive the memory of Toni are her husband, Emery; her children: Sheryl (John Kooiker) of Hull, Iowa; Steve(Teresa) White of Portland, Michigan; Greg (Cathy) White of Clay Center, Kansas; Mark (Suzy) Eklund of Raytown, Missouri. Her brother, Gail Antoine, still lives in Oakland, California.   Also left behind are three sisters-in-law: Meta Wendelken of Wakefield, Kansas; Frances Antoine of Sedalia, Missouri; Jo Antoine, Sedalia, MO and Kay White of Salina, Kansas; and two brothers-in-law: Darrel (Nilda) Eklund of Topeka, Kansas; and Eldon Shannon of Leawood, Kansas; as well as a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by three brothers: Charles, Jerry Bob, and Darrell; and a granddaughter, Bonnie (Kooiker) Matulka. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 22, 2018 from 5-7PM at the Phelps Funeral Home in Miltonvale, Kansas. Memorial Services will be held on Friday, March 23, 2018 at 10:30AM at the F.C. Hill Memorial Wesleyan Church in Miltonvale, Kansas. Inurnment will take place in the Miltonvale City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the F.C. Hill Memorial Wesleyan Church. Online condolences may be made at www.nsrfh.com