Donald Ek

Donald Ek, age 81, of Columbus, died Sunday, July 28, 2013 at Homestead Nursing Home in Lincoln.

Donald Ek was born on September 3, 1931 in Elm Creek, Nebraska to Reuben and Helen (Larson) Ek. He graduated from Aurora High School in 1949 and attended Kearney State Teachers College before serving in the United States Navy as a Quartermaster from 1951 to 1955. He married Merlene Rae Pehrson in Omaha in 1964.They moved to North Platte, where he worked for Allis Chalmers and then to Columbus where he worked for Cargill Seed Company as the regional manager.

Don was an avid sports fan. He volunteered in the football press box for many years and served on the baseball commission. In later years Don enjoyed attending his grandchildrens ball games


Don is survived by:

Son: Tim (Gretchen) Ek of Omaha, NE
Son: Tom (Kim) Ek of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Vicki Sikora of North Canton, OH
Daughter : Deb (Scott) Basinger of North Canton, OH
Daughter: Jerolyn (Lynn) Wenell of Albert City, IA
Daughter: Laura (Kent) Tucker of Aurora, NE
Grandchildren: Heather Sikora, Hannah Ek, Olivia Ek, Jake Ek, Nate Ek, Reuben Wenell, Louis Wenell, Brice Wenell, Jessica, Libbie, Megan
Sister: Darlene (Dick) Clark of Washington
Sister: Geri (Roland) Peterson of Minnesota

He was preceded in death his parents, wife: Merlene and 1 granddaughter, Heidi Marie Ek.