Cheyenne-area state Rep. John Eklund died early Friday morning, multiple state lawmakers have confirmed to Cowboy State Daily.
Eklund, 74, had been battling cancer for years, his wife Suzi confirmed Friday.
He had been hospitalized this week, with a plan to receive more care and go to hospice, but “didn’t quite make it” to hospice, Eklund’s son-in-law and former Rep. Matt Teeters added in a joint Friday interview with Suzi.
He had been serving in the Wyoming House of Representatives since 2011. This year he chaired the Select Water Committee and, and in prior years he chaired the Agriculture and Transportation committees.
In the 2025 session he successfully championed a bill to limit the state’s power of eminent domain over landowners. He helped to expand charter school authorizations in Wyoming in 2023 and backed pro-life and food-freedom legislation during his tenure, among numerous other projects.
Wyoming Champion
Fellow legislators and friends remember Eklund as a family man, a thoughtful lawmaker and an ardent champion of Wyoming’s agricultural heritage.
“(He was a) wonderful family man and rancher. Just one of the nicest guys you’d ever want to meet,” said Eklund’s lifelong friend, former Rep. Dan Kirkbride of Chugwater.
Kirkbride and Eklund grew up together in Albin, Wyoming, graduating in 1971 and 1970, respectively. They played basketball and ran track together. Kirkbride still remembers Eklund winning the small school division’s state track championship in high jump in 1970, he said.
“(He led) a good long life, but still had a lot in him, too,” said Kirkbride. “We’re sorry to lose him.”
Eklund ranched northeast of Cheyenne, Kirkbride said.
House Speaker Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, said he first heard the news of Eklund’s death at about 6 a.m. Friday. He’s served alongside Eklund for five years and sold hay to him during a southern Wyoming dry spell, Neiman added.
“I just really admired him, and John will be greatly missed,” said Neiman. “He was a real asset to the legislature and he loved agriculture. He loved everything about the land, and its people.”
The clearest indicator of Eklund’s character was the way his eyes brightened when he talked about his family and grandchildren, said Neiman.
“That speaks tremendously to the heart of the man,” he added. “He loved his family dearly.”
Former House Speaker and longest-serving House member Rep. Steve Harshman, R-Casper, extended his condolences, thoughts and prayers to Eklund’s family.
“He was just a sweetheart of a man,” said Harshman. “So good. Good, true, Wyoming guy.”
Those lauding Eklund’s character didn’t all come from his own party, and they didn’t all become vocal after his death.
‘Epitome Of A Statesman'
Former Rep. Sara Burlingame, a Democrat of Cheyenne, praised Eklund in a July 8, 2020, Facebook post – more than five years before the man’s passing.
She emphasized how differently she and Eklund voted, and their opposing legislative goals.
“John is also very kind, in a way that I aspire to be,” wrote Burlingame. “We don’t agree on much politically but we both love this state, and we always approach our disagreements with civility.”
Eklund knew that Burlingame had raised two hogs for 4-H when she was a child, and he let her name one of his piglets that winter, added Burlingame.
Rep. Mike Yin, D-Jackson, posted his condolences and mourning to Facebook on Friday, saying he was saddened at Eklund’s passing and was thinking about his family.
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus, which is a coalition of socially conservative Republican lawmakers, also voiced grief and urged others to pray with them for the Eklund family.
Rep. Landon Brown, R-Cheyenne, helped the Eklund family with a cattle branding once, he said.
Eklund inspired Brown, as “he was quite literally, the epitome of a statesman,” Brown said. “I never met someone who represented his district with so much fidelity. So fierce. He’s one I looked up to, as far as being able to be calm, deliberate, and rational.”
When the two lawmakers disagreed, Eklund was still able to articulate why he chose what he chose, said Brown. He added:
“He’s going to be sorely, sorely missed in our state House.”
Flags Down
Gov. Mark Gordon called Friday for the Wyoming State Flag to remain at half-staff at the Capitol, and in Laramie County until sunset on the day of Eklund’s interment.
The governor said he and his wife Jennie are deeply saddened at the news.
“Wyoming has lost a dedicated public servant, a steadfast advocate for agriculture, and a man whose kindness touched everyone who had the privilege to know him,” said Gordon in a Friday statement. “Jennie and I hold his wife Suzie and the entire Eklund family close in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
Gordon praised Eklund’s “steady hand, a gentle spirit, and a deep commitment to Wyoming’s agricultural community, work that earned him respect on both sides of the aisle.
“He was all that Wyoming could have wanted in a leader and a legislator,” continued the governor. “A good man with the right values and a strong work ethic.”
Secretary of State Chuck Gray said he too was deeply saddened and praying for Eklund’s family; and he found it an honor to have served with Eklund during Gray’s prior term in the House.
Speaking personally and not as the governor’s spokeswoman, former Republican Rep. Amy Edmonds, of Cheyenne, called Eklund “one of the loveliest human beings you could ever meet.”
Edmonds served alongside Eklund during her 2007-2012 tenure. Her husband Harlan also overlapped with Eklund during his 2015-2016 term.
Wyoming will suffer a tremendous loss in his depth of knowledge on water policy alone, Amy Edmonds said.
He was “lovely” toward his wife. He would voice skepticism occasionally, but never unkindness, she added.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
