In Memory of

Merlene R. Ek

Merlene R. Ek, age 68 of Columbus, died Friday; June 4, 2004 at the Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha. Funeral services are10:30 a.m. Monday; June 7, 2004 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Columbus. The Rev. Douglas Zurek will officiate. Visitation is Sunday 4-8 p.m. at the McKown Funeral Home and Monday 9:30 a.m. until service time at the church. Burial will be in the Columbus Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Merlene Rae Ek was born March 13, 1936 in Laurel, Nebraska to Raymond C. and Irma Louise (Clausen) Pehrson. She graduated from Laurel High School in 1953. She moved to Omaha and was united in marriage to Donald E. Ek on December 4, 1964 in Papillion, Nebraska. The couple lived in Omaha and North Platte before moving to Columbus in 1971. Merlene worked for Region IV North Star Services. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, taught Sunday School, and the Breast Cancer Support Group.

Merlene is survived by:

Husband           Donald Ek of Columbus, NE
Daughter          Vicki Sikora of Omaha, NE
Daughter          Deb (Scott) Basinger of North Canton, OH
Son                   Tim (Gretchen) Ek of Omaha, NE
Son                   Tom (Kim) Ek of Columbus, NE 
Brother             Gary (Shirley) Pehrson of Castle Rock, CO
Sister                Linda (Bob) Wambold of Council Bluffs, IA
Grandchild       Heather Sikora
Grandchild       Hannah Ek
Grandchild       Olivia Ek
Grandchild       Jake Ek
Grandchild        Nate Ek

She was preceded in death  her parents and 1 granddaughter, Heidi Marie Ek.