Orlin H. Ekeroth

Funeral Mass for Orlin Herman Ekeroth, 79, of Aurora, will be 10am Tuesday, May 16, 2017 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Aurora with Fr. Peter Lambert as celebrant. Visitation will be one hour prior to the mass at church. Burial with military honors accorded by the Aurora/Hoyt Lakes Color Guard will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Aurora. Arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home. Orlin died Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at St. Raphael’s Health and Rehab in Eveleth, MN. He was born April 3, 1938 in Roseau, MN to Esther and Herman Ekeroth. Orlin married the love of his life, Betty Sokoloski on June 19, 1971 in Aurora, MN. There, they made their home for 37 years until her death on February 25, 2008. They enjoyed gardening, and had a beautiful lawn and flower gardens which earned them a Horticultural award. They had three Sheltie dogs over the years; the last being Nikky who Orlin walked 1 ½ miles every day in the rain shine or snow in 30 degree below weather. In addition, Orlin loved to 4-wheel and snowmobile with his buddies. Orlin was an avid NASCAR fan and spent many hours cheering on Dale Ernhardt Jr and Kevin Harvik. Orlin volunteered for the draft in 1960 and was drafted in 1961. He did basic training at Ft. Leonardwood, MO and from there went to Ft. Chaffe for heavy weapons training and then to Korea where he was a member of the First Cavalry Division in the DMZ earning rank of Sergeant. Orlin was a lifetime member of the Hoyt Lakes VFW and the Aurora American Legion. He also belonged to the Sons of Norway and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He served on the Aurora Planning and Zoning and was a member of the Steelworkers Union Local 4108. Orlin met his significant other, Renee Koroshec several years ago and they enjoyed dining out, 4-wheeling, doing yard work at each others homes and just enjoyed being together. Recently Renee served as his primary care giver. Orlin was preceded in death by his wife, Betty; his parents, Esther and Herman; his mother and father-in-law, Antonia and Joseph Sokoloski and his nephew, Tim Sokoloski. He is survived by his brothers-in-law, Larry (Donna) Sokoloski and Joe Sokoloski; niece, Michelle Sokoloski; grand nieces, Shaylee and Karissa Sokoloski; two nephews, Tom (Shari) and Steve Sokoloski and numerous cousins.