Lucille Bernice Ekstrand

Lucille Ekstrand of Rush City passed away Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at Ecumen of North Branch at the age of 100 years. Lucille Bernice Sturmer was born April 20, 1915 at home on the farm in Greeley, Pine County, MN. She was the youngest of 6 siblings born to Fred W. Emma (Lueth) Sturmer. She attended the Rolf country school in Royalton township and was a 1932 graduate of Rush City High School. Lucille was united in marriage to B. Dennis Ekstrand of Rush City and from this union had one daughter Gloria, and one stillborn infant son. Lucille was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker who also enjoyed a successful 32 year career with Northwestern Bell Telephone Company first as a telephone operator and then working as a field service supervisor in Mora, Pine City and North Branch. During her lifetime she was very active in First Lutheran and St. John’s Lutheran churches in Rush City. Her hobbies were flower gardening, knitting, music, dancing, following sports, and her pet dogs over the years. Lucille was also an accomplished seamstress. Grandma “Lucy” was extremely dedicated and involved in the lives of her three grandchildren. She dearly loved and was so proud of her four great grandchildren whom she truly enjoyed, and was thrilled to become a great-great grandmother to her newest great-great grandchildren. She will be loving remembered for her keen sense of humor, stylish fashion sense, her wonderful cooking and baking that she generously shared with family and friends. Lucille was a sincere friend to many in the community and will be dearly missed by her entire family. Lucille is survived by her daughter Gloria (Louis) Larson of Bloomington; grandchildren Thomas (Vicki) Larson of Bloomington, Todd (Elizabeth Childs) Larson of Minneapolis, Susan (Jeffrey) Larson-Walter of Akeley; great-grandchildren Kaj (Amanda) Larson, TJ Tharp, Eliot Larson and Anna Walter; great-great-grandchildren Ryan Felix Putnam and Hailey Larson; nephew Steven (Shirley) Hansen of Stone Mtn, Ga; many cousins and relatives. Lucille is preceded in death by her infant son Randall; parents Fred and Emma (Lueth) Sturmer; husband B. Dennis Ekstrand; sisters Ethel (Harold) Forby, Dorothy (Nels) Waldstein, Gladys (Roy) Hansen and Margaret Sturmer; brother Harold (Myrtle) Sturmer; niece Jacque Jones of WA. Reverend John Beck will officiate a celebration of Lucille’s life at Ecumen Chapel in North Branch at 1:00 PM on Thursday, September 3, 2015. A time of visitation is planned for one hour prior to the service at Ecumen Chapel. The inurnment will take place in First Lutheran Cemetery in Rush City. Funeral arrangements for Lucille Ekstrand of Rush City are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City~ Olson Chapel. www.funeralandcremationservice.com