Dorothy M. Ekern, age 97, of Flandreau, SD, passed away Friday, May 4, 2018 at Riverview Healthcare Community.
Dorothy was born July 7, 1920 at Wakonda, SD, to Thomas and Amy (Lunning) Knutson, Sr. She received her education at Frog Creek Country School in Turner County. Dorothy was married to LaVerne W. Frick August 30, 1941 at Centerville, SD, in a triple wedding with her two sisters. To this union five children were born: Laurell Delayne (deceased 1946 at age 3), Donna Rae, Warren Lee, Kathy Ann, and Lanny Doyle. They farmed near Beresford, SD, Hudson, SD, and finally moved to the Canton area in 1963. They farmed until her husband’s death June 25, 1982. Dorothy moved into Canton in 1988. She married Dean L. Ekern of Flandreau March 25, 1989 in Canton and they resided in Flandreau. Dorothy became a resident at Riverview Manor April 25, 2012 until her death. At age 13 Dorothy gave her heart to the Lord, which was her witness to her children and many others. Dorothy was a charter member of Redeemer Free Lutheran Church in Canton. She loved to participate in Christian fellowship in the churches that she attended and the Christian Women’s Connection of Flandreau. Dorothy enjoyed singing songs of faith and used her voice to honor her Lord. She was very active in her community and in her children’s activities.
Dorothy is survived by her husband, Dean; children, Donna (Fred) Smith, Flandreau, SD; Warren (Judy) Frick, Alpharetta, GA; Kathy (David) Holter, Canton, SD; Lanny (Kathy Marie) Frick, Rogers, AR; grandchildren, Jon “JC” Smith, Chad Holter, Daniel Frick, Darin Frick, Todd Holter, Michael Smith, Lisa Shaurette, Amber Ball, Darcy Richard and 24 great-grandchildren. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband LaVerne, son Laurell, her parents, mother-in-law Nannie Carlson Frick, brothers, Glenn, Elwin, Clare, Thomas, Jr., Sidney and sisters Juna Knutson and Avonelle Hinseth.
Funeral service was held Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at Redeemer Free Lutheran Church, Canton, with burial in Dalesburg Lutheran Cemetery, rural Vermillion, SD. www.skrochfc.com
