Cover photo for Florence Ekman's Obituary
Florence Ekman Profile Photo
1937 Florence 2017

Florence Ekman

September 19, 1937 — July 18, 2017

Florence Ekman, age 79, of Pine River, and formerly of Wilmot, SD, passed away Tuesday, July 18, 2017. She was born to Edwin and Frances (Ellingson) Anderson on September 19, 1937, in Graceville, MN. Florence grew up on a farm near Herman, MN, and attended a one room country school through the 8th grade. She graduated from high school at Herman on June 2, 1955. Her first job was working at the Messner drugstore in Morris, MN. She then moved to Fargo, ND, and was employed in the offices of the American Linen Company working on the many routes for the delivery drivers. On June 2, 1956, in Elbow Lake, MN, Florence was united in marriage to Hans Ekman of Wilmot, SD. They lived and worked in Fargo until January of 1957 when they moved to the Ekman farm after Hans' father had been killed. They farmed for a number of years then bought Wilmot Produce in 1966. They ran many Cass Clay milk routes until it was sold in 1981. Hans worked on bridge construction the next few summers. Florence could be found at the farm busy with her garden, flower beds and mowing a huge lawn. When they started Ekman Repair on the farm, Florence was the "right hand man." Hans and Florence delivered the Valley Shopper on weekends for many years and made many new friends along the way.

Florence enjoyed her yard work, the old-time fiddlers' contests and jamborees and Skip-Bo games played with friends and neighbors and all the laughter that went with it. Many hours during winter days were spent making special quilts for her daughters, graduation quilts for her grandchildren, baby quilts for grandchildren, great grandchildren, neighbors and friends.

In 2014, Florence moved to the Pine River, MN area and lived on the same farm site as her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Lynn Neumann. She loved her home among the pine trees and kept up a garden, flower beds and lawn mowing.

Florence is survived by daughters: Patricia Young (Harlan) of Backus, MN, Carol Maxwell (Jeff) of Watertown, SD, Linda Neumann (Lynn) of Pine River, MN, Leanne Wells (Jerry) of Nisland, SD; 17 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren; sister, Dorothy Peterson (Warren) of Faribault, MN; brother, James Anderson (Sherry) of Herman, MN; many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hans, in 2011, and her parents.

Services will be 1 PM on Saturday, July 22, at Kline Funeral Home, Pequot Lakes, MN. Visitation will be 2 hours prior to the service. Burial will be in Wilmot Cemetery, Wilmot, SD.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Florence Ekman, please visit our flower store.

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