Eker, Karl August 1915-1998

EKER, JENSEN, KLINE, MILBURN, PAULSON, HAGEN

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/22/2009 at 16:41:45

Montezuma (IA) Republican; Jan. 28, 1998

KARL A. EKER, 82

Karl August Eker died Wednesday, January 21, 1998, while working at his home.

A funeral was Saturday, January 24 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. Officiating was the Rev. John Epperson of Grinnell Christian Church.

Organist Kathleen Heffner played "Amazing Grace" and "Until We Meet Again."

Military rites were performed by members of the Focht-Tennant American Legion Post #53 of Grinnell.

Following the service, the family received friends at the Grinnell Eagles Lodge.
Interment was at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

The son of Louis and Meta Jensen Eker, Karl was born September 11, 1915 in Marshalltown, where he was also raised and educated. During the Depression he delivered ice to many residents and businesses in the Marshalltown area and later moved to Chicago for several years and was employed with a foundry.

He was a veteran of the United States Army and served as a sergeant with the army medic corps.

Upon discharge in 1945, he moved to Grinnell and was employed with Claire's Cleaners.

He was married to Mary L. Kline February 21, 1952 in Nashua, Iowa and the couple continued making a home in Grinnell. They owned and operated Claire's Cleaners until their retirement in 1980. Karl enjoyed his retirement while assisting his daughter, Vicky, with her farm west of Grinnell.

Karl enjoyed fishing with his family and the solitude of the outdoors. He liked to garden, cook and play cards.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary on October 15, 1995 and his brother, Paul Eker.

He is survived by two daughters, Penny Milburn of Johnston and Vicky Paulson of Grinnell; one sister, Katherine Hagen of Grinnell; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Iowa River Valley Hospice in Marshalltown.