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Submitted: 4/8/23 • Approved: 4/24/23 • Last Updated: 4/27/23 • R275034-G275034-S3
Norman “Norm” Clifford Ekelund
October 26, 1923 – February 8, 2023
Norman “Norm” Clifford Ekeland, age 99, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2023 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Norman Clifford Ekeland was born October 26, 1923 in Sioux Falls, SD to Christian J and Carrie (Iverson) Ekeland. Norm attended Mark Twain Grade School and Washington High School. After graduating high school in the class of 1941, he attended Marshall University of Huntington, WV and graduated from Augustana College in 1950. Norm served in the European Theater as a combat infantryman from 1943-1946. He married his lifelong love, Muriel Christiansen, on June 8, 1950. He worked for Empire Equipment, Knecht Lumber, and in 1958 he began his career managing Horner Lumber Co, which he later purchased. He retired in 1988, selling the business to his employees. Norm enjoyed fishing, hunting, golf, and woodworking. He was on the board of SD Lumberman - Hoo Hoo, Northwest Lumberman, and was SD Lumberman of the Year in 1983.
Norm and Muriel devoted their lives to helping their community. They did the work that was both seen and unseen. Norm volunteered a great deal of his time for Habitat for Humanity, and was very active in First Lutheran Church, serving on several boards, helping with the Bazaar, and working with First Lutheran Men in Mission. He was so personable, generous, and insightful. His strong, quiet leadership inspired those around him. He solved problems with such ease that you hardly knew there was ever a problem. Norm could bring together a group of people who didn’t necessarily get along, sit them across from each other, and make them feel comfortable together. Norm was a kind, thoughtful friend to many and took such good care of his family. Norm was dearly loved by countless friends and family members.
Grateful to have shared Norm’s life with him are his son, Robert (Kari Dawson-Ekeland) Ekeland of Aiken, South Carolina; his granddaughter, Rachel (Trey) Lawson of Olive Branch, MS; and his great-granddaughter, Aria Lawson. Norm was preceded in death by his wife, Muriel Ekeland; his daughter, Deborah Ekeland; his parents, Christian and Carrie Ekeland; and his siblings, Clarence and Trig Ekeland, and Sylvia Whitt.
Contributed on 4/8/23 by 9katz
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Record #: 275034