1924
Glen
2019
Glen Howard Ekdahl
February 15, 1924 — February 11, 2019
Glen Howard Ekdahl, of Marshall, passed away on February 11, 2019 in the loving care of is family and the staff at Grand Vista of Marshall. He was 94, just four days short of his 95th birthday.
Glen was born in Manistique, Michigan on February 15, 1924 to Carl and Edith (Goodwin) Ekdahl. He attended Manistique High School and graduated in 1942. After graduation he worked as Rough Mill Superintendent at Michigan Dimension Company in Manistique.
In 1943, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan as a Medical Corpsman. He also served in the Military Police there. It was while he was stationed at Fort Custer, during one of his visits to Marshall, he met his future wife, Evelyn Coleman. They married in October 1944. After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, he and Evelyn stayed in the Marshall area where both of their sons were born. The family moved back to Manistique for a period of time, where their daughter was born. Back in Marshall, Glen worked for many years at Engineering Castings where he was Production Manager, and Progressive Dynamics as Personnel Manager. He worked briefly at State Farm Insurance in Marshall as an underwriter, and also managed the Felpausch Garden Center for a period of time.
His greatest love, second to his family, was gardening which he learned from his Father. As a boy still living with his parents, he worked alongside his Father who taught him all he knew about landscape and gardening. Together, they took care of the grounds of many businesses including Manistique City Hall, Inland Limestone office, and the Manistique Hospital as well as working for many homeowners in Manistique. Glen carried on with this work throughout his life. After he retired from his office job, he continued his landscaping business full time. In Marshall and surrounding areas, he was visible at many businesses taking care of their gardens. It was not at all unusual for him to give a lesson to anyone who would stop him and ask a question about what he was doing that day. He thought of himself as an artist, just not with a paint brush. His artist tool was a garden trowel. He loved and appreciated all his customers and enjoyed his time working and visiting with them over the years. He retired from his landscape business at age 89, as he said it was time for him to relax and let the younger generation take over. Those who knew him however, knew how much he wished he was still working, doing what he loved to do so much. He will always be remembered as a wonderful gardener, willing to answer anyone's questions about his craft. His creativity is still present here and there in the gardens he worked so long and hard in. Each Spring, the hundreds of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths still pop up, letting him know his work was still being enjoyed. That always gave him pleasure in his retirement.
Glen also loved to golf when he and Evelyn spent time in Florida and Arizona during the winter months. He was an avid bowler and bowled at Marshall Lanes for many years. His family will remember his many stories and jokes as they were a part of him and now a part of their memories of him. He and Evelyn lived in the same house on Sherman Court in Marshall for 40+ years. They both loved and appreciated their wonderful neighbors, past and present. The friendships they shared with their neighbors were very important to them. Glen felt very fortunate that they stayed in touch with him, even after he left the neighborhood and moved into Grand Vista.
Glen is survived by his daughter, Judy (Ron) Borowitz of Marshall; son, Jerry (Cynthia) Ekdahl of Manistique; sister, Myra "Micky" VandenHeede of Marshall; brother, Larry Ekdahl of Merrill, WI; grandchildren, Jill Lampkin, James Ekdahl, Cori Harris, Brittany (Hachem Hosenbux) Ekdahl; great grandchildren, Brittany (Ron) Gibson, Keegan Yost, Corina Walker, Zoey Irwin; two great-great grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; his parents; four brothers, Robert, Harvey, Morris and Lauren Ekdahl; sister, Doris Howard; son, Howard Ekdahl; grandson, Jeffrey Ekdahl; and great-great grandson, Isiah Platt.
Cremation has already taken place. Visitation will be held at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 Old US 27 North, Marshall Chapel on Wednesday May 15, 2019 from 9am to 11am. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon.
There will be a private burial service for the family at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, friends who wish, may make memorial contributions to Oaklawn Homecare, or Oaklawn Hospice. Donations may be mailed to 13444 Preston Dr, Marshall, MI 49068. Additional assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Funeral Home, Marshall Chapel.
723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
Glen was born in Manistique, Michigan on February 15, 1924 to Carl and Edith (Goodwin) Ekdahl. He attended Manistique High School and graduated in 1942. After graduation he worked as Rough Mill Superintendent at Michigan Dimension Company in Manistique.
In 1943, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Custer in Battle Creek, Michigan as a Medical Corpsman. He also served in the Military Police there. It was while he was stationed at Fort Custer, during one of his visits to Marshall, he met his future wife, Evelyn Coleman. They married in October 1944. After his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, he and Evelyn stayed in the Marshall area where both of their sons were born. The family moved back to Manistique for a period of time, where their daughter was born. Back in Marshall, Glen worked for many years at Engineering Castings where he was Production Manager, and Progressive Dynamics as Personnel Manager. He worked briefly at State Farm Insurance in Marshall as an underwriter, and also managed the Felpausch Garden Center for a period of time.
His greatest love, second to his family, was gardening which he learned from his Father. As a boy still living with his parents, he worked alongside his Father who taught him all he knew about landscape and gardening. Together, they took care of the grounds of many businesses including Manistique City Hall, Inland Limestone office, and the Manistique Hospital as well as working for many homeowners in Manistique. Glen carried on with this work throughout his life. After he retired from his office job, he continued his landscaping business full time. In Marshall and surrounding areas, he was visible at many businesses taking care of their gardens. It was not at all unusual for him to give a lesson to anyone who would stop him and ask a question about what he was doing that day. He thought of himself as an artist, just not with a paint brush. His artist tool was a garden trowel. He loved and appreciated all his customers and enjoyed his time working and visiting with them over the years. He retired from his landscape business at age 89, as he said it was time for him to relax and let the younger generation take over. Those who knew him however, knew how much he wished he was still working, doing what he loved to do so much. He will always be remembered as a wonderful gardener, willing to answer anyone's questions about his craft. His creativity is still present here and there in the gardens he worked so long and hard in. Each Spring, the hundreds of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths still pop up, letting him know his work was still being enjoyed. That always gave him pleasure in his retirement.
Glen also loved to golf when he and Evelyn spent time in Florida and Arizona during the winter months. He was an avid bowler and bowled at Marshall Lanes for many years. His family will remember his many stories and jokes as they were a part of him and now a part of their memories of him. He and Evelyn lived in the same house on Sherman Court in Marshall for 40+ years. They both loved and appreciated their wonderful neighbors, past and present. The friendships they shared with their neighbors were very important to them. Glen felt very fortunate that they stayed in touch with him, even after he left the neighborhood and moved into Grand Vista.
Glen is survived by his daughter, Judy (Ron) Borowitz of Marshall; son, Jerry (Cynthia) Ekdahl of Manistique; sister, Myra "Micky" VandenHeede of Marshall; brother, Larry Ekdahl of Merrill, WI; grandchildren, Jill Lampkin, James Ekdahl, Cori Harris, Brittany (Hachem Hosenbux) Ekdahl; great grandchildren, Brittany (Ron) Gibson, Keegan Yost, Corina Walker, Zoey Irwin; two great-great grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; his parents; four brothers, Robert, Harvey, Morris and Lauren Ekdahl; sister, Doris Howard; son, Howard Ekdahl; grandson, Jeffrey Ekdahl; and great-great grandson, Isiah Platt.
Cremation has already taken place. Visitation will be held at the Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, 723 Old US 27 North, Marshall Chapel on Wednesday May 15, 2019 from 9am to 11am. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon.
There will be a private burial service for the family at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, friends who wish, may make memorial contributions to Oaklawn Homecare, or Oaklawn Hospice. Donations may be mailed to 13444 Preston Dr, Marshall, MI 49068. Additional assistance with memorials is available at the Kempf Funeral Home, Marshall Chapel.
Visitation
MAY 15. 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EDT)
Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
Memorial Service
MAY 15. 11:00 AM (EDT)
Marshall Chapel of Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services723 US HWY 27 North
Marshall, MI, 49068
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