Kenneth R. Ekmark

HURLEY, Wis. - Kenneth R. Ekmark, 75, of Hurley, died Friday, May 16, 2014, in Hurley after a brief illness.

He was born March 26, 1939, in Ironwood, Mich., son of the late Anton and Ida (Fedrizzi) Ekmark, attended St. Mary's Catholic and Hurley schools, and graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in 1957. He worked at the Zephyr Station in Ironwood and Erie Mining in Hoyt Lakes, Minn., prior to working at White Pine Copper Co. until his retirement after 28 years of service.

Ken was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hurley. He loved the outdoors, especially deer hunting with family in the Camp 7 area. He also enjoyed feeding all of the birds and animals around his home. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and was a big Green Bay Packers and Detroit Tigers fan.

He was married to the former Patricia Shouldice on March 15, 1958, at St. Mary's Church in Hurley.

Surviving are his wife, Patricia, of 56 years; a son, Dale (Rebecca), Angora, Minn .; daughter, Debra (Randy) Kirchhoff, Ironwood; and four grandchildren, Morgan and Devan Ekmark, Angora, Marcie Wicklund, Wausau, and Tyler (Nicole) Wicklund, Pence; brother- and sister-in-law, Daniel and Jan Bodas, Pittsburg, Mo .; a sister-in-law, Ruth Ekmark, Hurley; and several cousins.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Donald and Richard.

Per Ken's wishes, cremation has taken place.

Services and interment will be private.

Arrangements were entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood, where condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.