North Mankato resident, Marilie T. Ekstam, age 84, passed away Monday, May 4, 2009, at Oaklawn Health Care Center, Mankato.

Memorial services will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, May 9, with a visitation one hour prior to the service at Messiah Lutheran Church in North Mankato. Interment will be private in Woodland Hills Memorial Park. Marilie was born March 26, 1925, in Mound, MN to Peter and Theresa Hoff. On August 25, 1944, she was united in marriage to Carl A. Ekstam in Knobnoster, MO. As a young girl Marilie worked as a “Rosie, the Riveter”, making metal parts for the war effort in WW II. She was a homemaker and worked at Don’s Hobby. She was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church and Mankato Golf Club. In her leisure time, Marilie enjoyed golfing, bowling, Bridge, stained glass, church quilting and antiquing furniture. She especially loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by her sons, Rick (Sandi) Ekstam of North Mankato, Bob (Francine) Ekstam of Rochester, David Ekstam (fiancée, Cindy Albrecht) of North Mankato, Keith (Susan) Ekstam of Springfield, MO; daughters, Julie Lyle of Rockford, IL, Betzy Ekstam (Chris Schrantz) of Loveland, CO; grandchildren, Nathan Payne, Adam Payne, Katie Heidt, Becky Ekstam, Peter Ekstam, Joe Ekstam and Leland Ekstam; great-grandchildren, Roslyn Hartley, Lachlan Hartley, and Lydia Heidt; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Carl in 1988; parents; 2 brothers and 3 sisters.