Josh Liljenquist’s paternal aunt, late uncle by marriage, and cousins.

The Eckdahl Family

The Eckdahl family is part of Josh Liljenquist’s paternal family through his father, Trent Lee Liljenquist. Tracy Eckdahl is Josh’s paternal aunt and Trent’s older sister. Tracy’s late husband, Thomas Calvin Eckdahl, was Josh’s uncle by marriage. Their children, Abbie Kempinger, Andrew Eckdahl and Isaac Eckdahl, are Josh’s paternal first cousins.

Growing up at Chester Woods

For Josh and Jacob, visits to Chester Woods County Park meant outdoor exploration, night games, kickball, swimming, fishing, paddle boats, gardens, and time with cousins. Josh associates the Eckdahl family with some of the most memorable outdoor experiences of his childhood.

Family time over possessions

The families gathered for holidays, reunions, vacations, and outdoor activities. Josh says gifts were never the most important part. The value came from everyone being together. Old home videos now preserve memories that still make him emotional.

A lesson that remains

Tom’s passing reinforced for Josh that tomorrow is not promised. He values ordinary family time because people are never guaranteed another holiday, conversation, or gathering.

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People in this family branch

Josh Liljenquist’s paternal aunt

Tracy Eckdahl

Tracy is Trent Lee Liljenquist’s older sister, the daughter of Lee and Corrine Liljenquist, the widow of Thomas Calvin Eckdahl, and the mother of Abbie, Andrew, and Isaac.

Tracy’s steady care

Josh remembers Tracy as reserved, loving, responsible, and strong in her Christian faith. She made good meals, set reasonable bedtimes, taught responsibility, traveled to support Josh’s sporting events, and made Josh and Jacob feel important even while raising three children of her own.

Josh says Tracy made the effort to show up even when it was inconvenient. That steady care helped teach him that love can be expressed through consistency.

Josh Liljenquist’s uncle by marriage

Thomas Calvin Eckdahl

Tom was Tracy Eckdahl’s late husband and the father of Abbie, Andrew, and Isaac.

Tom’s place in the family

Josh remembers Tom as a quiet man of faith whose connection to Chester Woods gave the family a place for outdoor memories. His individual profile shares more about those family memories and his years at the park.

Josh Liljenquist’s paternal first cousin

Abbie Kempinger

Abbie is the daughter of Tracy and Tom Eckdahl and the sister of Andrew and Isaac.

Abbie

Josh describes Abbie as quiet and caring, with a temperament that reminds him of Jacob. He says she cares more deeply than people may immediately realize and has always mattered to the family.

Josh Liljenquist’s paternal first cousin

Andrew Eckdahl

Andrew is the son of Tracy and Tom Eckdahl and the brother of Abbie and Isaac.

Andrew

Josh associates Andrew with humor, flexibility, and a willingness to participate in whatever made the group happy. He remembers visits as welcoming and fun because the Eckdahls treated the family so well.

Josh Liljenquist’s paternal first cousin

Isaac Eckdahl

Isaac is the son of Tracy and Tom Eckdahl and the brother of Abbie and Andrew.

Isaac

Josh especially remembers Isaac’s laugh, his love for the larger family, and his pride in being connected to the Liljenquist family. Josh remembers Isaac wearing Liljenquist hand-me-down clothing with pride because the connection mattered to him.

Family ties

A larger family legacy

Read Legacy of Service for the broader family story and People Who Shaped Josh for this growing collection.