Roger Duane Ekern, 74, entered into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.
Roger was born at Cottrell Home Hospital in Rushford, Minn., on July 13, 1949, to Charles and Gilma Ekern. He grew up on the family farm and was active in the FFA throughout high school. Roger attended the National FFA Convention as part of the dairy judging team and received his State FFA Degree in 1967. Roger graduated from Rushford High School in 1967 and was voted “Most Likely to Farm.” While working at the Shell Station, Roger met a cute young gal named Susan Aschom from Lansing, Iowa, and wasted no time in marrying her. They were united in marriage on June 14, 1969 at Rushford Lutheran Church, where their three children would also be baptized and confirmed.
He worked for Jaastad’s Hardware, Engrav’s Hardware, and Three Rivers Dairy of Lewiston. Roger was a lifelong cattle farmer who sold milk to Land O’ Lakes and Houston Money Creek Co-op, and proudly “never missed a milking for over 25 years,” later raising beef cattle. He also served on the City of Rushford Village Council for many years.
He took a “town job” at Good Shepherd Lutheran Services doing maintenance, receiving his Special Class Engineer Boiler License. He loved the friends he made there, and took exquisite care of the grounds and the flowers, continuing to work up until he was placed on hospice care in the spring of 2023.
In the end, none of that mattered in comparison to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Roger had faith that blossomed later in his life, setting an incredible example for his family. He helped start a Bible study in 2009 led by his dear friend Terry Rasmussen, the impact of which can still be seen today. A serious cancer diagnosis in 2017 helped Roger to truly see the value of each day. He came very near to death, saved by what we later knew to be the divine healing hand of the Master, answering our prayers. Pastor Roger Michelson asked him to share that testimony in church, which began a new season of declaring God’s goodness wherever he could. Roger knew that he was nothing special, just “plain old Roger,” but he also knew that he could wake up each day and choose to give God the glory in all things, and he did. There were more than a few times when we nearly lost him, but God graciously granted him seven years of “bonus days,” which he said was different than “borrowed time,” because it didn’t need to be paid back. He loved his church family, and faithfully attended Bible studies and prayer meetings, helping with youth group whenever he could. Friends were always eager to hear what he was pondering in God’s word, whether at church, the hardware store, or the café. Perhaps the best part of those bonus days was how much wisdom, faith, and love he passed on to his children and grandchildren. To paraphrase 3 John 4, Roger had no greater joy than to know that his children were walking in the truth. His love and appreciation for his wife also grew with each bonus day, and he thanked God for his living presence in each and every one of them. We will “keep up the good work” down here, and miss him greatly until we meet again.
Roger is survived by his wife of 55 years, Susan; children Aaron (Michele) Ekern, Ben (Holly) Ekern, and Kristin (Steven) Burdey; grandchildren Megan, Michael (Maddi), Thomas (Aviana), Elizabeth, Grace, Gabriel, Annika, Joshua, Isaiah and Isaac.; sister Corrine (Carroll) Hill, brother Arland (Tami) Ekern, brother-in-law Norb Aschom, sisters-in-law Pat Aschom, Barb Aschom, Marion Aschom, Kathy Christopherson and Julie (Greg) Buel; “bonus brother” Clifton Kjos, many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and a host of prayer partners and Bible study buddies.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law Richard “Dick” Aschom and Michael “Mickey” Aschom, and sister-in-law Nancy Aschom.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024 at Rushford Lutheran Church with the Rev. Steven Chellew officiating. Visitation will be at RLC from 9-11 a.m. prior to the service. There will be a luncheon following, with a committal service at 2 p.m. at the RLC Cemetery. Special thanks to Gundersen Hospice for the year-plus of friendship and care. The family would like to extend their gratitude for all of the love and prayers and help we have received from our friends and faith community! Memorials will be directed by the family to Good Shepherd Lutheran Services and Rushford Lutheran Church Youth.
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