Matthew David Eklund passed away on April 16, 2010, at the University of Washington Medical Center UWMC due to complications from lung infection compounded by H1N1 flu. Matt was 28 years old. Matthew was born to James and Shirley Eklund at Richland, Washington on April 24, 1981. He lived most of his life on the Eklund farm east of Mattawa, WA. He dreamed of someday farming on his own, and in preparation became a skilled equipment operator, mechanic and welder. Matt fondly remembered his time spent at Columbia Basin College where he earned an AA degree in welding. Matt had many interests, but his favorite ones were collecting Mopars, Ford Thunderbird Super Coupes and riding dirt bikes while he still could. He also started a business of buying older diesel pick-ups and fixing them up for resale. He liked ice hockey and attended many Tri-City American games. Throughout his life he was known for his trade-mark laugh, which alone made other people laugh. He is a baptized member of the Richland, Washington Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Matt was born with cystic fibrosis and battled its effects throughout his life. When his lungs became debilitated, he sought and received a double lung transplant at the UWMC. Matt initially felt so good he endeavored to catch up on years of missed experiences like snow skiing, dirt bike riding, and four-wheeling his pick-ups. But as time went on his body and new lungs continued to deteriorate requiring numerous medical treatments leading eventually to his final journey to the UWMC. We wish to thank the many doctors, nurses, and staff at the UWMC who took care of Matt during his transplant hospitalization and during his post-transplant care. During Matt's final days much caring was expressed by care-givers who had cared for Matt on multiple occasions. Matt was preceded in death by his grandpa, Harry Eklund; his grandma, Laura Johnson; and his uncle, John Eklund. He is survived by his parents, Jim and Shirley Eklund of Mattawa, WA; his beloved sister, Megan Eklund, Gig Harbor, WA; grandma, Edna Eklund, Richland, WA; grandpa, H. Marion Johnson, Battle Ground, WA; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends. One of Matt's more recent close friends was his faithful canine friend, Hailey, who misses Matt mightily. Matt is now at peace without pain and looking forward to that heavenly future with his Lord and Savior, Jesus, where he won't be slowed down by a debilitated body. A Celebration of Life in Matt's honor will be held on Saturday, April 24, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. at the Richland Seventh-Day Adventist Church, 1807 McMurray, Richland, WA. In lieu of flowers, you may give to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Road, 2nd floor, Bethesda, Maryland, 20814, or to the Matt Eklund Memorial Fund at the Bank of Whitman, P.O. Box 875, Mattawa, WA 99349.