Leland Ekren
September 1, 1938-April 22, 2023
Rugby
Leland Mark Ekren, the son of Myron and Myrtle (Haugen) Ekren was born on September 1, 1938. He died at the age of 84 years on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Edgewood Vista in Fargo, North Dakota.
Leland grew up in Rugby and graduated from The Class of Rugby High School 1956. While in High School he joined the National Guard. On April 13th, 1958, he married Betty Lou Burow at Bethany Lutheran Church. They were married for 51 years until Betty passed away suddenly in 2009. Following their marriage, they moved to Wolf Point, Montana, where Lee worked for Sweetheart Bread. Lee was then activated with the National Guard, which moved them to Tacoma, Washington. After discharge, Lee and Betty moved to Harvey where Lee drove the Sweetheart Bread truck. In 1965, Lee and Betty moved back to Rugby to start Lee’s Bar. Lee and Betty worked side by side for 42 years. The bar is still in business. During his years at the bar, he would make the annual Harvest run and drove around and brought beverages to all of his farming friends. He was known for having his annual “Lee’s Testicle Festival” for many years.
Lee was an avid hunter, fisherman, pool shark and golfer. He was an active member of the Clarence Larson American Legion Post 23 in Rugby for 50 plus years and was a member of the Rugby Volunteer Fire Department for several years as well. He sponsored several teams over the years and was inducted into the ND Softball Hall of Fame in 2017 for his dedicated sponsorship to the many softball teams and also sponsored pool leagues, dart teams and bowling. He donated communion wine to all the local churches for many years. He sponsored a yearly golf tournament at the Rugby Country Club and enjoyed golfing with his friends on Men’s night. He refereed football and basketball for several years and volunteered with kid’s football. Lee enjoyed watching his grandsons play sports over the years. Lee also enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips with his friends over the years. For close to 15 years, Lee and Connie Mitchell have been constant friends, companions and took care of each other. He moved to Fargo August 31st, 2022, to memory care. Lee was known throughout the community and several towns near and far. Also, known as Big Frank! For those who had the privilege of knowing Lee and sharing in his life, they will miss him dearly.
Lee is survived by his children: Lori Wilson, Fargo, Jeff Ekren, Rugby, Russell Ekren, Des Moines, WA, and Sheri Batesole, Fargo; his four grandsons, Jacob, Joshua, Jett, and Jackson Batesole all of Fargo; his brother, Curtis (Jane) Ekren; a sister-in-law, Mila Burow; a brother-in-law, Floyd (Marrel) Burow; his special friend Connie Mitchell, Rugby; several nieces, nephews; other relatives and friends. Lee was preceded in death by, his wife; parents, Myron and Myrtle; his sisters, Marlene and Myrtle; his in-laws, Milton and Tillie Burow and brothers-in-law, Rodney Burow and Douglas Burow.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 29th at First Lutheran Church in Rugby with full military honors to follow. Burial will be held at a later date in the Persilla Watts Cemetery, Rugby. Pastor Connie Monson, officiating.
Military Honors Accorded by: The Clarence E. Larson American Legion Post #23 Honors & Color Guard- Rugby, North Dakota and the North Dakota Military Funeral Honors Detail.
Organist: Pam Anderson Vocalist: Craig Wollenburg.
Casket Bearers: Wayne Stevenson, Fred Bonn, Mark Johnson, Brian Johnson, Ray Uhlenkamp and Terry Hoffart.
Honorary Bearers: Lee’s Grandson and the rest of the softball players.
Arrangements with the Anderson Funeral Home of Rugby. Online registry: www.funeralsbyanderson.com.
Published by The Pierce County Tribune, April 29, 2023.