Duane
Ekman, 70
Newfolden - Duane A. Ekman, 70, died Thursday, February 3, 2000 at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 7 at Westaker Free Lutheran Church in Newfolden with Rev. LeRoy Flickinger officiating. Michael Olson was the organist. Casketbearers were Glenn Ekman, Lonnie Skadsem, Ronnie Benke, Mark Ekman, Loren Leader, Jim Schnieder and Jeff Dahl. Military honors were accorded by the Thief River Falls VFW Post and Newfolden American Legion Post. Burial was in Bjorsness Cemetery in New Folden township of Marshall county.
Duane Allen Ekman was born on March 2, 1929 in Fargo, ND, the son of Adolph and Hannah (Brodahl) Ekman. He was baptized at Christ Lutheran Church in St. Paul on August 3, 1930 and later confirmed at Westaker Free Lutheran Church at Newfolden. He attended Popolane School in Newfolden and worked on his dad's farm, milking cows and feeding chickens and hogs, while attending school.
When he was 19 years old he moved to St. Paul where he married Violet Norgard in April of 1948. Violet died in June of 1984.
In 1949 Duane entered the United States Army and was stationed at Camp McCoy, WI. He was honorably discharged in 1954 and returned to St. Paul.
While living in St. Paul he worked at several jobs, including roofing for 15 years. He also worked at King Coil U. S. Bedding as a dock worker for two years, Alters Scraped Metal Company as a mechanic for six years and as a semi truck driver for three years. He later retired from Mississippi Barge as a cook and mechanic. In 1988 Duane returned to his home town of Newfolden to be closer to family and friends.
For 12 years he was captain of a cribbage league, and he enjoyed playing cards, hunting and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
Duane is survived by one daughter, Lynette Ekman of Newfolden; two sons, Jim Schnieder of Andover and Max Schnieder of White Bear Lake; four grandchildren; one brother, Jerry Ekman of Michigan; and three sisters, Joyice Timler of Texas, Janice Chapman of Michigan and JoAnne Townsend of Connecticut.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Violet, and his parents. A00003B2000FB09