Carolyn Wauneta (Oquist) Ekstrand

Carolyn Wauneta Ekstrand, age 92, of Stromsburg, Nebraska, passed away June 30, 2022 at the York General Hospital in York, Nebraska.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at Salem Lutheran Church in Stromsburg with Pastor Brenda Pfeifly officiating. There is no visitation. Organist will be Sue Lehn. Musical selections will be “Lift High The Cross”, “How Great Thou Art” and “When The Saints Go Marching In.” Pallbearers will be Dan Oquist, Steve Oquist, Mark Forsberg, Les Robbins, Rod Hengelfelt and Zach Oquist. Interment will be in the Stromsburg Cemetery.

The service will be live streamed on the Salem Lutheran Church Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SalemLutheranStromsburg

Carolyn was born August 12, 1929 to Frans Emil and Elin Elvera (Gestrine) Oquist in rural Polk County near Silver Creek. She attended elementary school at Riverside Dist. 28 and graduated from Clarks High School in 1947. After graduation she worked as a switchboard telephone operator for Lincoln Telephone & Telegraph. After the telephone system switched to the dial system, she worked for Mamco Manufacturing. She also worked part-time at the ‘dime store’ and Hazel’s Apparel. After the closing of Mamco, she went to work at Barber’s Pontiac and Service.

In 1954 she was united in marriage to Arnold Enoch Ekstrand at Calvary Lutheran in Swede Home. In 1957 she began working at Polk County Rural Public Power as a cashier and accountant, retiring after 34 years on August 12, 1991. In her retirement Carolyn helped with visitations at the funeral home for a few years.

Carolyn was a lifelong member of Calvary Lutheran of Swede Home and joined Salem Lutheran Church in Stromsburg in 1960. She was active in the ladies Circle, church council and the choir. She was also a member of the Legion Auxiliary since 1959 and served as Poppy Chairman for over 40 years and on the Membership Committee. She was active as a volunteer at the senior center, driving Busy Wheels once a week, past CIP member, and served on the Smorgasbord committee since it’s beginning in 1964. For 10 years she was a Tabitha Hospice worker. She was known for making cinnamon rolls, Swedish rusks and Chex Mix. Carolyn was a beloved member of the community and over the years delivered her treats to many different families and she will be greatly missed by many.

She traveled with the Fun Club and was a member on a bowling league for many years.

Survivors include sisters-in-law Gloria Oquist of Osceola and Alice Jane Oquist of Stromsburg; nieces and nephews, special family friends Rod and Kathy Hengelfelt with whom she had a deep appreciation because they were always there to help her, and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Arnold who passed away September 4, 1997; her parents; brothers Severt Oquist, Stanley Oquist and sister Evelyn (Wilbur) Olson.

Dubas Funeral Home of Stromsburg and Osceola has been entrusted with arrangements.

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