| EKMAN – Marion passed away on Thursday, April 1, 2004 in Red Deer, AB at the age of 90 years. Marion was the eldest of six children born on January 1, 1914 in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan to Edmund and Ellen Walker. She took her schooling in several places in both Saskatchewan and Alberta. By the age of 14 she worked cleaning homes for various families. Marion was a confident and optimistic person. She cleaned for Louis Ekman and they were married in 1935. The lived in the Lucerne District southwest of Coronation until 1961 when they retired to Coronation. Together they had 11 children. Marion worked then at the Coronation Hospital in cleaning and cooking. Louis and Marion were never really well-to-do however always kept the family well provided for. She was a strong person and never cried in front of her family. Things came a lot easier in the late 50’s when the power came to their home. Marion liked to sew, crochet, knit, and do ceramics; she loved bingo and sang in the choir at Trinity. Marion moved to Red Deer in 1987 to be with her sister Ivy. They did many things together. She loved her family and truly enjoyed when all the new grandchildren and great grandchildren were born. Predeceased by her first husband Louis Ekman, second husband Nick Wachter; sons Harry Oscar, Rodney and Arthur; one sister Violet; two brothers Leslie and Kenneth and all of Louis’ siblings Carl (Thea), Nils, Hilda (Harry), Edith (Kristopher), Edwin (Annabel), Elizabeth (Siguaard) and Walter. Marion is survived by: Son George (Joan) Ekman of Sedgewick and children Bonny (John) Howard of Didsbury, with children Ashley and Andy; Leroy (Tracy) of Sedgewick with children Dakota, Dylan and Daniel; Kim Ekman of Camrose. Son Clifford (Pauline) Ekman of Coronation and children Dale (Stacey) Ekman of Didsbury with son Levi; Karen Ekman of Calgary; Tyler Ekman of Coronation. Daughter-in-law (Sherry) Ekman of Thorhild and children Kevin of Edmonton; Aaron (Evelyn) of Devon and children; Jolene (Clint) and their daughter Alexis; Mandi (Chris) and their children Skylar, Terrell, and Lukas; Celeste; Dustin; Cindy Ekman and Donna Ekman both of Edmonton. Daughter Christina (Gerald) Wager of Coronation and children Basil of Yellowknife; Colin (Carrie) and son Kersten of Coronation; Jason (Cindy) and children Jessica and Ashley of Calgary. Son Richard (Darlene) Ekman of Carbon and children Sharon (Tim) Dennis of Brooks and son Thomas; Lisa (Darcy) Martin of Medicine Hat and son Terrance; Linda (Dan) Wilson of Medicine Hat. Daughter Phyllis (Alfred) Engel of Castor and children Eldon (Lori) of Sylvan Lake with children Eric, Rebeca, and Haley; Leander of Sylvan Lake; Sheldon Engel (Joanne Poohkay) of Red Deer. Son Percy (Bernice) Ekman of Coronation and children Joshua with children Zachary, Kira and Alaina; Nathan Ekman of Coronation; Reagen Ekman of Calgary. Daughter Emily (Richard) Truman of Red Deer and children Trevor Doerksen (Pam O’ Brien) and daughter Sophia; Paul Henderson (Suzanne Zahary) of Edmonton and children Isabella and William; Yvonne (Daryl) Wilkes of Blackfalds and children Jonathon, Sarah, Abigail, Rachel and Joanna; Rhonda (Scott) Humphrey of Red Deer and children Kassandra, Jaden and Jaeger; two sisters Winifred Wolfe and Ivy Krumm from Tofield. Funeral services were held on Tuesday April 6, 2004 in Trinity United Church, Coronation, Ab. with Rev. Mervyn Penfound officiating. Grandson Trevor Doerksen and Granddaughter Rhonda Humphrey gave loving tributes in memory of their Grandmother. Margaret Merchant played the organ and Linda Osetsky played the piano for the congregational hymns “Church In The Wildwood”, “Just A Closer Walk With Thee”, and “Safe In The Arms of Jesus” accompanied by the Trinity United Church Choir. A special musical selection “In The Garden” was sang by the Great Grandchildren. The solo “I Wish You Were Here” was sung by grandson Daryl Wilkes. The interment followed the funeral service in the Coronation Cemetery where Marion was laid to rest beside her husband Louis. The active pallbearers were grandchildren Kim Ekman, Dale Ekman, Colin Wager, Leander Engel, Nathan Ekman, Kevin Ekman and Lisa Martin. The honourary pallbearers were “All of Marion’s Family and Friends”. Should friends desire memorial contributions may be made in Marion’s memory to the Alberta Diabetes Association or the Alberta Cancer Foundation Research Dept. or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Following the interment family and friends gathered together in the Elks Community Hall for a time of fellowship and refreshments with the luncheon prepared by the Sunshine Club. Parkview Funeral Chapels of Coronation were entrusted with the care and funeral arrangements. For further information please contact 578-3777 or 882-3141. |