Karl Wilhelm Jensen Ekeland passed away on January 14, 2007. He was 86.

Karl was born in Gjestal, Norway in 1920. During WWII he was a member of the Norwegian Resistance and was imprisoned by the Germans. After the war, he received an advanced degree in electrical engineering from the University of Trondheim. In 1948, his father Prost T.B. Ekeland married Karl and his wife Erna in Oddernes Church, Kristiansand Norway. In the mid fifties they immigrated to the U.S. where he embarked on a successful career as an electrical engineer for various aerospace companies. Karl retired to Lompoc in 1988. In their later years Karl and Erna split their time between Norway and California. He enjoyed traveling, reading, westerns, politics, and lunches in Solvang with Erna. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who was always there for his family. His family and friends miss him dearly.

Karl's wife of 58 years, Erna, and 6 children (Ellinor, Ingerid, Karen, Elisabeth, Kristin and Tor) survive him. His daughter Inger Elisabeth predeceased him. One brother and two sisters in Norway, and his 9 grandchildren, also survive him.

The memorial service will be held at noon on Saturday, January 20 at Bethania Lutheran Church in Solvang, followed by a celebration of his life at the family home in Lompoc.

Karl's final resting place will be in Kristiansand, Norway.