CARL EKSTROM

Date of Birth

April 1, 1933

Date of Death

September 12, 2021

Obituary
Services

Carl Richard Ekstrom, age 88, of Elburn, passed away quietly Sunday, September 12, 2021, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family.

He was born April 1, 1933 at Community Hospital in Geneva to proud parents, Elmer* and Hazel (Johnson) Ekstrom

Carl grew up in Wasco and attended local schools. He graduated from St. Charles High School with the class of 1951. Following graduation, Carl went back to the family farm and worked for his dad. In 1955, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in Germany for 14 months. In June of 1957, he was honorably discharged, returning to civilian life back on the farm. Carl also worked for a time as a hired man on Robert Anderson’s farm until 1960.

Carl was united in marriage to Diane Novak at Grace Lutheran Church in Lily Lake. They began their new life together by taking over his parent’s farm for a year before moving to Huntley where he continued to till the land and tend to the animals. They would be blessed with four children before they began travelling down different paths in life, but the love for their children remained.

The farming trend continued when he returned to the Wasco area and worked on the Campton Hills Farm for three years. In 1968, Carl left the fields behind when his now growing family moved to Elburn. Carl used his history in the fields to help him become an outside salesman for the Elburn Co-Op. He also became a volunteer fireman. Five years later, Carl got the travel bug and took a job as a district salesman, traveling through over twelve counties for Acco Seed Co., but the love of his family always brought him home for dinner each evening. Salesmanship was still in his blood, Carl began working for Jaques Seed Co. for a time. Before he was finished, Carl was lead in sales for the entire state of Illinois. Carl left the road behind when he began working for Ehler’s Lawn and Recreation in Elburn, as…you guessed it, a salesman. Although he would retire in 2001, Carl never stopped working. Even when working full time, Carl would often pick up part-time jobs including 25 years at Conley Funeral Home where he was not only part of the staff, but part of the family. His résumé of retirement also included working for Meijer Grocer Stores and for the Kane County Cougars at Elfstrom Stadium where his welcoming smile was reflected in the thousands of people picking up groceries or taking in a baseball game.

Carl was dedicated to his church, not only serving on the board, but as the coach for the champion church basketball team. You could see him every Sunday as part of the church choir, as well. When he wasn’t at church or coaching Little League, Carl found time to serve his community on several boards including Campton Township, Elburn Village, Elburn Clerks Office and the Kaneland School Board.

Carl always said, “Every day is a gift” and that is how he lived his life. He was always happy and always had a story to tell at the drop of a hat, regaling others about his time on the farm or in the army. Carl loved his Bears and Cubs and of course the Kane County Cougars. His sense of humor was contagious, and he had a quick laugh that brightened the room.

He now leaves four children: Randy (Sue) Ekstrom, Mark (Donna) Ekstrom, Dan Ekstrom and Tami (Bryan) Monaghan; four grandchildren: Halie, Brooke, Alyssa and Nick; brother-in-law: Russ Bohlin and a family of friends.

He now joins his parents and one brother, Wayne Ekstrom and a sister, Darlene Bohlin who preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 9:30-11:30a.m., with a funeral service to follow at 11:30, Saturday, September 18, 2021, at Grace Lutheran Church, 5N600 Hanson Rd., St. Charles (Lily Lake) IL. Private family burial will follow.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Carl’s name to benefit Grace Lutheran Church, Lily Lake, IL. Checks may be made to the “Carl Ekstrom Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.