Gordon Ekberg

Gordon Ekberg, age 87, of Herman, Minnesota passed away Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Herman with Rev. Joseph Carpenter officiating. Special music will be provided by Debbie Blume, Olivia Richards and Todd Bartell.

Interment will be in Lakeside Cemetery, rural Herman. Pallbearers will be George Townsend, Bud Olson, Dale Richards, Keith Wilts, Randy Larson, Randy Schmeising, Dale Wilts and Chad Bruns. Honorary Pallbearers will be Joel Heikes, Wayne Olhoft, Lowell Simpson, Jim Johnson, Don McCollor, John Blume, Dale Blume and Greg Richards.

Visitation will be held Friday evening, January 27th from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Odd Fellows Service at United Methodist Church. Visitation will continue Saturday morning from 9:30 a.m. until service time.

Gordon Frank Ekberg was born on June 18, 1929 at the Powers Hospital in Barrett, Minnesota. He was the third of three children born to Walter Clay and Adell (Della) Konvally Ekberg, the only one to survive infancy. He was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Lutheran Church in Herman. Gordon attended country school in Macsville Township during his elementary years and continued to attend school in Herman where he completed part of his junior year. A life-long learner, Gordon continued his education with experiences, people and reading.

On December 23, 1972 he married Gay Adele Derby at the United Methodist Church in Herman, where they met when he served as a lay preacher. Gordon and Gay raised their five children on Lawndale Farm, his beloved home built by his grandfather Frank Ekberg. There with his family, Gordon ran an art gallery, frame shop and exotic waterfowl area in addition to farming. Several years ago, Gordon and Gay joined the Bethlehem West Elbow Lake Lutheran Church in Elbow Lake, Minnesota.

Gordon's passions included environment, waterfowl, animals (wild and domestic), hunting, family and many topics too numerous to mention. Joining the Odd Fellows, a fraternal order, was a life-long commitment and source of many dear friendships. Through Odd Fellows and his Christian faith, Gordon practiced leadership, public speaking and kind acts wherever and whenever possible. Gordon chronicled his long and interesting life in a book, "Between the Cattails and the Bulrushes." The manuscript was sent to his editor just five days before passing.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother and sister. He is survived by his wife Gay and five children: Kris Ann (Dale) Erickson, Amy Ekberg, Joel Ekberg, Evangeline (Kery) Johnson and John Ekberg; grandchildren: Jake Erickson, Tobey Riedmann, Xander Riedmann, Levi Erickson, Madison Johnson, Spencer Johnson, Porter Johnson and Hadley Johnson; cousins and families.