Elaine Esther (Salmen) Ekstrand

Elaine Esther (Salmen) Ekstrand, age 91, of Stromsburg , NE, passed away April 16, 2020 at her home in Stromsburg.
Graveside services will be held Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Stromsburg Cemetery with Joel Linn officiating.  Obituary reading by Jeff Ekstrand. Pallbearers will be David Ekstrand, Jeff Ekstrand, John Ekstrand, Christian Ekstrand, Jonathan Ekstrand, Tim Ekstrand, Jeremiah McBride, and Tyler Rampey. We request that you remain in your vehicles. The service will be broadcast locally on 92.5 FM radio. Visitation will be held from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday prior to the graveside service at the Stromsburg Baptist Church. Memorials are suggested to the Stromsburg Baptist Church in lieu of flowers. Cards may be sent to PO Box 491, Stromsburg, NE 68666.
Elaine was born March 23, 1929 to Raymond and Esther W. (Goesch) Salmen in Fillmore County near Sutton, NE, where she attended school.  After graduating in 1946, she attended Lincoln School of Commerce and then worked as a bookkeeper in Lincoln NE
On July 2, 1950 she was united in marriage to James (Jim) Gordon Ekstrand at Zion Lutheran Church in Sutton, NE. To this union, seven children were born. In August 1950, Jim was recalled to active duty in the United States Air Force. They were stationed at Cheyenne, WY, Dayton, OH, and Cape Canaveral, FL. After Jim's discharge, his career in the electrical utility industry moved them to Chadron, Lincoln, NE, Columbus, NE, and finally Vinita, OK where he retired in 1986. They served as volunteer missionaries for two years in Zaire, Africa. Upon their return, they moved to Stromsburg.
Jim and Elaine were active members of the Second Baptist Church in Lincoln, and First Baptist Church in Columbus. Elaine was active in the Christian Women's Club in Lincoln and Columbus.  While living in Lincoln, Elaine was honored with the Mother of the Year award from the Nebraska Mothers Association. After retiring to Stromsburg, they joined the Stromsburg Baptist Church, where Elaine used her talents in children’s and women’s ministries. She volunteered at Polk County Christian School, was a member of the Stromsburg Woman's Club, active at the senior center, a member of the Birthday Club and Stromsburg Legion Auxiliary. In 1995, Jim and Elaine were crowned the King and Queen of the Stromsburg Swedish Festival.  She will be most remembered for her passion for painting and using her talent for unique and creative gifts. She designed the Swedish theme metal signs that hang on the street lights around the Stromsburg town square.  
Survivors include her children Carolyn (Joseph) Smolka of Mead, CO, Mary (David) Burnidge, Tower Lakes, IL, Janet (Mark) Rampey of Bloomington, IL, David (Cindie) of Duarte, CA, Jeffrey (KT) of Gilbert, AZ, Ann McBride of Sand Springs, OK and John (Carolyn) of Peyton, CO; 23 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren; brother Maurice Salmen of Sutton, NE; three sisters, Arylis Huebert of Henderson, NE, Velma (Jerry) Greenfield of Lincoln, NE and Joleen Traudt of LaVista, NE; sister-in-law Carolyn Ekstrand of Stromsburg, numerous nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James, who passed away January 10, 2013; and her sister Lorna Dickensheet.
Dubas Funeral Home of Osceola and Stromsburg has been entrusted with arrangements. dubasfuneralhome.com

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