Wendell Ekness

To watch a recording of the service, please use the link: https://youtu.be/rMFsr-J70KE 

Wendell "Pete" Ekness, 56, died December 14, 2022 at home.

Wendell Lee Ekness was born April 6, 1966 in Grand Forks, ND to Carmein "Cub" and Avis Ekness after giving Mom false labor during the blizzard of '66 in March.

Wendell was a talented artist who made his drawings & paintings seem effortless, like anybody could do it.  He loved the Sons of Norway and taught himself to speak fluent Norwegian.  A true Norwegian, he loved lutefisk and lefse!  He always had a cheerful greeting for you & loved to visit over coffee and a good game of cards, dominoes or scrabble.

He earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from UND in 1994.  He spent 5 years in the US Navy & had many stories to share.  He had a photographic memory which served him well in his Navy days as he would have thousands of numbers memorized and his fellow sailors were in awe of that.

Wendell also served as caregiver for our parents and others.  He was the Sexton for the Evanger Lutheran Cemetery & had also served the church as head usher for 20+ years.  His faith in God was strong and important to him.  He was also the family historian & held a wealth of information in his head and shared information with family members.  We will miss the heart of our family's geneology so much.

Although Wendell never married or had kids of his own, he was like a second dad to his nieces & nephews, especially on the farm where he wasn't known as Wendell, but simply as "Uncle".

Wendell treasured the friends he made throughout his life, regardless of age.  He and his sister Mona were childhood playmates & friends with the occasional disagreements, but overall, they were both there for each other when it truly counted.  You are now one of our angels watching over us with Mom and Dad. Fly high & rest dear brother.  You are now at peace.

Wendell was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents and cousins, Joan Kitzmiller and Rick Lohroff.  He is survived by his siblings: Sean (Noel) Wyeth, Alburtis, PA, Donna (Mike) Hunter, Bremerton, WA, Deb (Scott) Johnson, Horace, ND, Ramona (Jason) Baker, Grand Forks, ND, 3 nephews, 4 nieces, an uncle Gary (Pat) Aune, Pahrump, NV & many beloved cousins and friends.

Funeral will be on January 6th at 11 am (10 am visitation) at Evanger Lutheran Church.  Memorials in Wendell's name can be sent to his sister:  Mona Baker, 1289 16th St. NE, Grand Forks, ND, 58201-9114. The Evanger Cemetery was such a big part of his life that he would want donations to go to them in his memory.  Please make any checks to the Evanger Cemetery Association.