Elmer Ekern

Elmer Ekern, 77, of Fargo, ND, died Sunday, October 17, 2010, at Veterans Administrative Medical Regional Office Center, Fargo. Elmer Milford Ekern was born May 9, 1933, in Valley City, North Dakota, son of Louis and Anna (Anderson) Ekern. Elmer graduated from Valley City High School in 1951, and Valley City State College in 1976 with a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. Elmer served in the U.S. Army as a Specialist 3rd Class from 1955 – 1957. He married Janice Schiernbeck January 29, 1956, in Valley City, ND. Elmer was a U.S. Postal Service mail carrier from 1957 – 1973, in Valley City. He was Barnes County Director of Tax Equalization from 1977 – 1985. He became Emergency Management Coordinator and Barnes County Veterans Service Officer from 1985 – 1988. From 1988 – 1998, he was the Amvets National Service Officer in Fargo. After retirement, Elmer worked at the Prairiewood Golf Course in Fargo and was an AARP Safe Driving Instructor. Elmer was a lifetime member of Amvets, serving in local, state and district offices. He was also a member of Eagles, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Valley City and St. John Lutheran Church in Fargo. Elmer is survived by his children, Julie (Kimball) Lutovsky, Grafton, ND; and Jaci Ekern, Harlingen, TX; siblings, Lorraine Wooten, Farmington, NM; Loretta (Hank) St. Clair, Coon Rapids, MN; Alvin “Bud” (Mary) Ekern, Fargo, ND; and Carol Thomas, Arden Hills, MN; grandsons, Nathaniel Lutovsky, Washington DC; Garrett Lutovsky, Lincoln, NE; Jordan Lutovsky, Fargo, ND; and brother-in-law, Dennis (Kay) Schiernbeck, Janesville, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Janice; and twin sister, Eleanor Campbell. Funeral Service: Friday, October 22, 2010, at 10:30 AM, at St. John Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: Thursday, October 21, 2010, from 5-7 PM, at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND. Prayer Service: Thursday, October 21, 2010, at 7:00 PM. Burial: Valley City Memory Garden, Valley City, ND.