Bruce (Permanent Deacon) and Mary Ann Eklund
 

I was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota at Swedish Hospital on April 16th 1933. Both of my parents came from Sweden through Ellis, Island and they settled in Minneapolis in 1918. I grew up in the Lutheran faith and left Minnesota for the Air force when I was eighteen. I spent ten years in the Air force and I met my wife Mary Ann when I was stationed in Texas. I converted to the Catholic faith when I was twenty-six year old and I realized that this was the faith that I had been searching for all my life!

Mary Ann, Kevin (my son) and I were living in Harlingen, Texas, when I entered the deaconate. I was ordained into the Diocese of Brownsville, Texas, May 17th 1980. My first assignment was to help the Family Life Director (who just happened to be my wife) set up marriage sponsorship programs throughout the diocese. I was also a deacon at my home parish Queen of Peace. We left Texas in the fall of 1983 for Albuquerque and, after meeting with Archbishop Sanchez, I was assigned to the Newman Center. Over the years, my responsibility as a deacon has continued to change. Presently, I have a communion service on Friday's, witness weddings, baptize children and coordinate the marriage program for the Newman Center. My son Kevin was married to Gloria Perrin in 2001 and I have a granddaughter named Danielle and grandson named Brandon.

Mary Ann and I have also served on the Archdioceses marriage preparation committee for the past fourteen years.