Dennis Ekeberg

Dennis Ekeberg, age 69, of McIntosh, MN, passed away on Sunday (May 29th) at Essentia Health Hospital in Fosston, MN. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday (June 2nd) at Zion Lutheran Church in Oklee, MN with Pastor Margaret Jacobus officiating. Interment will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Oklee. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the church. Military honors will be conducted by the McIntosh VFW Post #6891 and arrangements are with the Carlin-Hoialmen Funeral Home of Fosston. Messages of condolence may be sent at carlinhoialmen.com.Dennis Ray Ekeberg was born on January 9, 1942 in Fosston, Minnesota to parents Clarence and Arlet Bernice (Olson) Ekeberg. He grew up in Fosston and graduated from Fosston High School in 1959. In July of that same year he enlisted in the United States Army. Denny was stationed in Korea and Germany and was a part of the 4th Armored Division sent to Europe as the Berlin wall was being constructed. He received his honorable discharge in July of 1962 and returned to Minnesota. Following his discharge, Denny spent a short time in Minneapolis and other regions of the country. He settled in as a general construction superintendent for Babcock and Wilcox, constructing power plants around the United States. He worked for the company for over 30 years until his retirement in 1999. From a previous marriage, two children were born, Chad and Brenda Ekeberg.He was married to JoAnn Christianson on December 24, 1991. Denny and JoAnn enjoyed traveling, spending winters in Port Isabelle, Texas and Missouri and summers in McIntosh. They also enjoyed spending time with their family and grandchildren.He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Oklee and the McIntosh VFW Post #6891. He enjoyed playing cards, yard and garden work, and watching sports on TV. Dennis passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2011 at Essentia Health Hospital in Fosston at the age of 69 years.Survivors include his wife, JoAnn of McIntosh; son, Chad of Cross Lake, MN; and daughter, Brenda (Alex) Ugalde of St. Michael, MN; stepsons, Jeff (Kay) Christopherson of Franklin, WI, and Kevin Christopherson of Thiemesville, WI; mother-in-law and step father-in-law, Irene and Walter Noyes of Erskine, MN; grandchildren, Chelsea, Emma and Ethan Ekeberg, Patrick, Abbey, Eric and Jon Christopherson; one brother, Harlan (DeLayne) Ekeberg of Fosston; twin sister, Janice (Paul) Tuominen of Hibbing, MN, Diane Ekeberg of Crookston, MN and Colleen Simonson of Coleraine, MN; brother-in-law, Gene (Mary) Christianson of Franksville, WI; sister-in-law, Ida Mae Larsen of Cudahy, WI; Aunts and uncles and several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and cousins also survive.He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Beverly in 1937, and brother, Alan Dale in 1995.Honorary Pallbearers will be the McIntosh VFW Post #6891.Active Pallbearers will be David Hagen, Sheldon Lee, Mike Sorenson, Adam Simonson, Walter Sylstad, Jim Metzger, Kevin Christopherson, and Patrick Christopherson.