Mary Lou Ekren

**You may view the funeral mass with this link: https://youtu.be/nkKN16ZyY5U 

Mary Ekren 88, of Grand Forks, ND passed away on January 29th, 2022, in Valley Senior Living on Columbia.

Mary was born February 1st, 1933, to John and Violet Falos. She was united in marriage to Nordean Ekren on October 14, 1949, and the couple made their home in Grand Forks. She worked for Star Troy laundry and the Bike shop before going to work as a housekeeper for Dr. James and LuAnn Gjerset for many years. After retirement, Mary spent time with family and helped out however and wherever she was needed. Picking up grandchildren from school and cleaning for her daughter-in-law, Robin during her illness, were two things she was happy that she was able to help with.

They resided in their home on North 4th St for over fifty years and tackled many, many remodeling projects together. She always took great pride in their home which was always immaculate. They loved entertaining when family came to town and traveling to visit relatives near and far. Mary was a lifelong member of St. Michael’s Church, and her Catholic faith was important to her. She lost her loving husband on September 24, 2012. Shortly after his passing, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and eventually moved into Valley Senior Living on Columbia where she loved her time there. Mary loved to talk over a cup of coffee and some sweets.

Mary is survived by her children, Jay (Cheryl) Ekren, Sandie (Joel) Antonson, Randy Ekren, Tim (Dawn) Ekren and Marty (Patty) Ekren; grandchildren, Kayla Ekren, Kelsey (Casey) Pagnac, Chad (Tara) Ekren, Jodi Demmerly, Tiana Holiday, Chelsey (Cody) Edwards, Tyler (Teresa) Ekren, Nathan Ekren, Christian Ekren, Travis (Julie) Ekren and Matt (Kaitlyn) Ekren; great-grandchildren, Gavin, Alex, Madison, Aspen, Ember, Kaitlin, Cole, Jack, Charlie and Rudy; siblings, Karen (Tony) Kobbervig, Duane Falos, Ron (Cindy) Falos, Gary Falos, and brother-in-law, Frank Stropnicky.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; stepfather, Archie Comer; daughter-in-law, Robin Ekren and siblings, Gerry Sollom, Shirley Livdahl, Beverly Remme, Jeanette Stropnicky, Louis Falos, Harold Falos and John Falos.

Thank you to the Riverside neighborhood staff of Valley Senior Living on Columbia for the exceptional care and love they have given her over the nearly nine years she was a resident there.

**In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family to be given to as a memorial gift in her name.

Memorial Service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Forks, with visitation from 10-11am prior to the service in the church.

Inurnment: Later spring, 2022 at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Grand Forks, ND.