Ekdom, Stephen Adrian "Steve" 1924-2021

EKDOM, DECOOK, VISSER

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:36

Mr. Stephen Ekdom, age 96, of Orange City, passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2021, at the Orange City Area Health System.

There will be a funeral service on Tuesday, January 26, at 10:00am, at the First Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. Mark Haverdink will officiate. Interment will follow the service at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

Stephen Adrian was born to John and Hattie (Visser) Ekdom on February 21, 1924, on a farm northeast of Hawarden, the oldest of four boys. He attended country school until he moved with his family to Ireton at the age of eleven. He graduated from Ireton High School in 1941, and then continued his education at Northwestern Academy in Orange City.

His education was interrupted when he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1942, and he proudly served his country for three and one half years. While on furlough in 1943, he began dating Geraldine DeCook. Upon discharge on April 29, 1946, he promised Gerry he would be home by May 1st. He kept his promise arriving home at the Hawarden Depot at 11pm on April 30. He married Geraldine two months later on June 26 at the First Reformed Church in Orange City.

Steve completed his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics and received a teaching and principal certificate from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake. He accepted a position as high school principal in Ireton and remained there for nine years. In 1959, he became the principal of Northwestern Academy. Later, he became an educator at Northwestern College where he taught physics, mathematics, and secondary education. During this time he acquired his master’s degree and Education Specialist (EDS) degree from the University of South Dakota. As an educator, he attended summer schools at the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Colorado (formerly Greeley College), the University of Minnesota, the University of Missouri Colombia, Bucknell University, and Ohio University. These summer sessions included his family and created great memories.

He retired from Northwestern College after 23 years and became an Orange City realtor for 17 years. During his time as a realtor, Steve and Gerry spent many winters with friends in Florida, Arizona, and Texas.

Steve was a long-time member of the First Reformed Church where he served as deacon, elder, and Sunday school teacher, and participated in many mission trips. He was a past member of the Orange City Historical Society and enjoyed multiple volunteer opportunities. Most enjoyable to Steve was collecting and repairing antique clocks, an enjoyment he shared with his many friends.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife of more than 74 years, Gerry, of Orange City; a son, Barry (Rebecca Arbogast) Ekdom, of Washington, D.C., and their children, Noah and Claire; two daughters, Barbara (Mark) Reece, of Des Moines, and their son, Joe (Nicole) Spradling, and their children, Isabel, Tyler, and Eliana; and Brenda (Richard) Hartig, of Dubuque, and their sons, Charlie (Katie) Hartig, and their twins Albert and Mathilda, and Wes (Allie) Hartig, and their children, Nora and James; a brother, Don Ekdom, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and two sisters-in-law, Marie Ekdom, of Pipestone, Minnesota, and Irene Ekdom, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Wayne Ekdom and Adrian Ekdom; and a sister-in-law, Chris Ekdom.

Memorials may be made to the First Reformed Church.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.