Marlene Ekblad Obituary

Marlene Janice Ekblad, 82, of Red Wing, died on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017 surrounded by her family at Mayo Clinic Health System - Lake City Care Center.
    She was born on April 5, 1935, in Red Wing, to Robert and Josephine (Hamre) Buck.
    She graduated from Red Wing High School and married Stuart Ekblad in 1956 at the Little Brown Church in the Vale in Nashua, Iowa. She lived in Red Wing for a short while and later settled in Red Wing. Her family was her pride and joy. Marlene was a devoted wife and mother who loved to host traditional family gatherings.
    Marlene enjoyed bird watching, playing cards and traveling out west and decorating for the holidays. Her favorite holiday was Halloween. Starting in August, Mom would transform her house, from top to bottom, with everything Halloween. She also had a profound love for cats and tended to the strays that had no home.
    She was also a proud grandparent and a great listener. Her children and grandchildren loved to stop and visit. Much of her time was spent attending the sporting events of her grandchildren and tending to her garden. Marlene was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and will be greatly missed by friends and family.
    Marlene is survived by her daughters, Jill (David) Dingle of Boise, Idaho and Nancy (Bill) Reuter of Hermiston, Ore.; sons, Grant (Calli) Ekblad and Paul Ekblad, both of Red Wing; grandchildren, Rebekah, Nick, Mikey, Abigail, Stuart, Shayna, Samantha, Sadie, Satchell, Emily and Colt; and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Stuart; son, Shane; parents; brother, Robert Buck; granddaughter, Elizabeth; and niece and nephew, Krissa Buck and Brad Buck.
    A private service will be held in honor of Marlene’s wishes. Burial will be at the Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Mayo Hospice in Red Wing.
    Funeral arrangements are by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel in Red Wing. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.