Verna Ekeberg

Verna Ekeberg, age 85, of Fosston, MN, passed away on Monday, November 13^th, at Essentia Health Living Center in Fosston. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 18^th, at Hope Lutheran Church in Fosston with the Rev. Jane Ekholm officiating. Interment will be in Hope Lutheran Cemetery, Fosston. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service on Friday, November 17^th, at the Carlin Funeral Home in Fosston. There will also be reviewal for one hour prior to the service on Saturday morning at the church. Arrangements are with Carlin Family Funeral Service of Fosston and messages of condolence may be shared at www.carlinfuneral.com.  

Verna Aldora Ekeberg (Strand) was born on July 30, 1938 to parents John and Pauline (Hollevoet) Strand in Fosston, MN. She was raised on a farm 13 miles south of Fosston where she developed a life-long love for baking, gardening and caring for animals. Verna was baptized at Landstad Lutheran Church and confirmed at Hope Lutheran. She attended Duane Country School and graduated from Fosston High School in 1956.

Verna married Roger Ekeberg on September 4, 1957. They began raising their seven children in rural Fosston until 1971 when they moved to the city of Fosston due to Roger's ill health. Roger was required to run on a dialysis machine multiple times a week and Verna trained (with young Karen in tow) at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN to learn the proper medical procedure. Roger needed dialysis until 1980 when he received a kidney transplant with Verna by his side. Her commitment to her husband continued until his passing in 1984.

Verna worked primarily in healthcare at Midway Board and Care, Rest Easy Board and Care and East Polk DAC. When she wasn't working, she was known for her delicious cake donuts among many other treats.

Verna passed away on Monday, November 13, 2023 at Essentia Health Living Center in Fosston at the age of 85.

She is survived by her children, Sheryl (Ronald) Dahl of Fosston, Rodney Ekeberg of Fosston, Kevin Ekeberg of Fosston, Connie (Mark) Schwartz of Lester Prairie, MN, Mark (Rafeala) Ekeberg of Shakopee, MN, Steven (Georgette) Ekeberg of Glencoe, MN, and Karen Wells (David McCowan) of Wayzata, MN; grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister, Erma (Richard) Siedschlag of Moorhead, MN; sister-in-law, Margie Strand of Fosston, and many nieces and nephews.

Verna was preceded in death by her husband, Roger; her parents; parents-in-law, Edwin and Alma Ekeberg; three sisters, Helen Brissett, Opal Jensen, and Bernice Strand; four brothers, Palmer Strand, Gordon Strand, Marlen Strand, and John Strand; brothers-in-law, Leo Snetsinger, George Brissett, and Delmar Jensen.