Norris Ecklund

Norris L. Ecklund, 78, of Gothenburg, Nebraska, died March 6, 2012 at Good Samaritan Hospital, Kearney, NE.

Norris was born October 5, 1933 in Smithfield, NE, son of Carl and Osa (Butts) Ecklund. He grew up in Elwood, NE and graduated from Elwood High School in 1951. He attended the University of Nebraska and graduated in 1956 with a Bachelors in Education. He married Carole Timm of Eustis in 1956; to this union three children were born: Steve, Lisa and Scott. Carole preceded him in death in April 1986.

He served in the US Army from 1956 to 1958. After his discharge from the Army, he and his wife lived and taught school in Hildreth, NE from 1958-1963. He started working towards his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration at Kearney State College, graduating in 1966. He became the Junior High Principal in Cozad, NE until 1976. After leaving the school system, he was engaged in a farming operation with a brother-in-law, and also worked in the customer relations department of what was the O.A. Cooper Company, retiring in 1995. He married Roine Ballmer in 1994 and moved to Gothenburg NE. Since retiring, he helped part-time at Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel. Norris was a member of the American Lutheran Church and sang in the men's choir. He was President of the Crest View Housing Board and was a Teammates Mentor. Norris enjoyed golfing, playing cards, going to his grandkids events, and cheering on the Huskers.

He is survived by his loving wife Roine Ecklund of Gothenburg, NE; two sons - Steve (Linda) Ecklund of Grand Island, NE; Scott (Robyn) Ecklund of Bartlesville, OK; daughter - Lisa (Matt) Wilson of Gothenburg, NE; 13 grandchildren: Jennye, Jayme & Julia Ecklund; Ashley (Brent) Knust, Ben, Nolan & Dane Wilson; Chantel, Eden, Britt, Elise, Elijah & Gabriel Ecklund; two step-sons - Mark (Holly) Ballmer of Gothenburg, NE; Alan (Jennifer) Ballmer of Gothenburg, NE; four-step grandchildren Luke & Brooke Ballmer, Alex & Alisha Ballmer; two great-grandchildren Dominic Howells & Landyn Broadway; two sisters - Berneice (Dayne) Smith of Littleton, CO; Berneita (Jim) Mitchell of Bozeman, MT; brother-in-law Ron Cutler of Elsie, NE; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Carole Ecklund; sister-in-law MonaLee Cutler, niece Julie Smiley.