Eugene S. Ekman

Funeral service for Eugene S. Ekman, 80, of Aurora, will be 10am Saturday, November 23, 2013 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Aurora with Pastor Brendan Johnston officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7pm at Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Aurora. Inurnment will be at a later date in the Forest Hill Cemetery, Aurora. Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers. Eugene died Sunday, November 17, 2013 at Essentia Health - Duluth, MN. He lived a faithful, courageous life as he adjusted to living as a paraplegic during the past three years. He became an inspiration to those around him. He was born March 16, 1933 in International Falls, MN to Edward and Vieno (Kujala) Ekman. Gene was a 1951 graduate of Duluth Central High School and later earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities and a degree in Business from the University of Minnesota - Duluth. On September 6, 1958 he married Lorraine Engman in Duluth. Gene began working for Northwest Paper in Cloquet and later worked for Erie Mining Company. He retired from LTV Steel as a mechanical engineer. Gene was an active member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church where he served on its boards, council and was a deacon. He was a member of the Giants Ridge Ski Patrol and the Engineers Club of Northern Minnesota. Survivors include his wife, Lorraine; children: Steve (Lori) Ekman of Bass Lake, Mark (Sandie) Ekman of Albuquerque, NM, Lori Ekman of Duluth and Susan (Jimmy) Sowers of Hoyt Lakes; twelve grandchildren: Kristina, Erika, Andrew, Sammi, Angela, Merissa, Michael, Logan, Davan, Tanner, Austin and Rachel; four great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents.