Phyllis Ekeland

Phyllis V. Ekeland, 86, of Grand Forks, ND, passed away on Friday, March 10th, 2017 at her home surrounded by family.  Phyllis was born on July 28, 1930, in Tuttle, ND, the daughter of J.J. and Margaret Knepper (Badger, MN). She grew up in Badger, MN where she graduated in 1948. She married Harlan O. Ekeland on January 19, 1953. Harlan was in the United States Air Force for 20 years. They were stationed overseas in Ankara, Turkey and many cities in the USA before they settled down in Grand Forks, ND. They raised their family and she worked in retail and Pinkerton Security at the Grand Forks International Airport. Eventually she retired from Altru’s linen department (formerly United Hospital) after 11 years of employment.  After Harlan's death, Phyllis kept busy by delivering Meals on Wheels for the Grand Forks Senior Center. She played bunko and cards with her friends and family. She enjoyed eating out with friends. She was part of the “Red Hats” and served in the Altar Guild for Calvary Lutheran Church for many years. Phyllis was an avid reader, loved crocheting, sewing and crafts.  She liked spending time at Camp Shalom and Maple Lake, MN in the summers and Yuma, AZ in the winters. Phyllis most enjoyed spending time with her children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Phyllis is survived by her sister Jessie (Glen) Larson, Grand Forks, ND; brother David Knepper, Grand Forks, ND; children, Cheryl (Donovan) Wadholm Sr., Grand Forks, ND; Brian (Doris) Ekeland, Durango, CO; Brad Ekeland, Mentor, MN and Roxanne “Rocky” (Patrick) Deziel, Mentor, MN; 13 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harlan; sisters, Lenora, Margaret and Averille.                                                                                                            Funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church in Grand Forks. A light lunch will be served immediately after. Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 14, 2017 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 6:30 p.m.at Amundson funeral home Grand Forks, ND. Interment will be at St. Petri Church Cemetery, Fosston, MN. Donations are preferred in lieu of flowers to: Grand Forks Veterans Memorial, PO Box 5573, Grand Forks, ND 58206-5573 in honor of Harlan O. Ekeland retired USAF.