Gary Edward Ekman

Gary Edward Ekman, 59, of Esko, died Saturday, August 12, 2006 in St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, after a short but fierce battle with lung cancer. He was born May 14, 1947 in Duluth to Carl and Eleanor (Haugen) Ekman. He was a 1965 graduate of Denfeld High School. After high school, he attended Duluth Vo-Tech for carpentry and again from 1978 - 1980 for civil engineering. Gary married Patricia Stein on May 4, 1968 in Duluth and they made their home in Brookston until 1974. From 1974 - 1991, Gary and Pat lived in West Duluth and since 1991 have lived in Esko. Gary worked for the US Forest Service since 1980 and is the recipient of many awards and recognitions. He was also a building codes and standards officers for the state of MN. Gary was a founding member of the Carlton County Sheriff's Mounted Posse, organized the first Lake Superior Steelhead Derby, former member of the Carlton Area Lions Club and Habitat for Humanity. He was currently a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, MN Deer Hunter's Assoc., Muskies Inc., Cloquet Moose, Big Lake Golf Leagues, Esko Planning Zoning Commission, Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), Arrowhead Chapter of Building Officials, Lake Superior College Foundation Board, and Pine Hill Lutheran Church. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Patricia; son, Bret (Laurie) Ekman of Brookston and daughter, Suzanne (Douglas) Wolff of Duluth; sister, Bonnie (Dave) Mohr of Superior; six grandchildren, Michael, Joshua, Zachary, and Brittany Ekman and Lynsey and Kyley Wolff; one niece, three nephews and 14 great nieces and nephews and his faithful companion, Squeak. The family would like to thank everyone at Dr. Sande's office, the Infusion Center, and St. Mary's Oncology and Hospice Units for their loving and compassionate care for Gary and the entire family. A special thank you to Bob Busche for taking Gary and Doug out musky fishing on the river last week where Gary hauled in two muskies unassisted. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, August 16, 2006 in St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Esko. Burial in Pine Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Pine Hill Lutheran Church Building Fund. Arrangements entrusted to Northland Funeral Home in Cloquet. You may also visit the family's web page at www.caringbridge.org/visit/garyekman