Orlo Lowell Ekleberry

Orlo Lowell Ekleberry was born January 11, 1927 in Bonesteel, South Dakota to Russell and Alfaretta (Reinoehl) Ekleberry.  The oldest of three children; (siblings Lyle and Monie Rae).  Around 1940, the family moved to Kroschel, MN.  Entering the service at the age of 18, Orlo served his country during WWII.  He served in the Korean Occupational Army sent in to partition the country after Japanese rule.  He returned home and met Shirley Joann Bell.  They fell in love and were married on January 1, 1948.  Orlo and Joann had three children; Colleen, Daryle and Cheryl.  In 1961, after a five year period of living in Columbia Heights, they bought a farm in Rush City.  This became home to Orlo and his family for the next 51 years.  He worked at Cargill in Minneapolis until it became too much.  Orlo then got a job closer to home at the locker plant in Rush City.  In 1973, both Orlo and Joann operated the Co-operative food store in Rush City.  The Co-op eventually closed and they both got a job at Grandview Christian Home until they retired.  Orlo suffered from dementia which took over his life.  In 2012, Joann suffered a brain aneurysm so they entered the nursing home in Cambridge.  He became the King and Prince at valentines day celebrations.  They got to ride in the Cambridge Parade and pass out candy.  They both kept busy with puzzles and the painting class.  On February 6, 2019, Orlo started to fail and on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at GracePointe Crosing he went home to be with our Lord.  He was 92 years old. Orlo is preceded in death by his parents Russell and Alfretta; brother-in-law Don Larson; grandson Keith Ekleberry. He is survived by his wife of 71 years Shirley "Joann" Ekleberry; children Colleen Swenson of Glencoe, Daryle (Shannon) Ekleberry of Mora, Cheryl (Rick) Harer of Andover; grandchildren Jason Ekleberry, Chris (Pam) Harer, Jennifer Ekleberry, Josh Swenson, Brandon (Amanda) Harer, Kassandra (Kyle) Secord; great-grandchildren Carson Harer, Courtney Harer, Alexia Harer, Payton Harer, Kali Secord; brother Rev. Lyle (Arlene) Ekleberry of Phoenix, AZ; sister Mona Rae Larson of Cambridge.   Pastor Donna Reiter and Chaplain Chuck Knutson will officiate at funeral services for Orlo: 11 AM; Monday, February 25, 2019 at the First Baptist Church in Cambridge with a time for family and friends to gather one hour prior to the service.  A spring interment will take place in the Rush Lake Baptist Cemetery at Rush Point. Arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral and Cremation Service of Rush City ~ Olson Chapel     www.FuneralAndCremationService.com