Patricia E. Ekmark, 82, of Hurley, died Monday, May 2, 2022, in Duluth, Minnesota at St. Mary's-Essentia Health, where she was undergoing rehabilitation from major back surgery.

She was born July 13, 1939, in Ironwood, Michigan, the daughter of the late Earl Shouldice and Esther Bodas. She graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1957.

She was married to Kenneth Ekmark on March 15, 1958, who preceded her in death on May 16, 2014. They are together again, and the family finds comfort in the fact that the reunion was definitely filled with tales of huge snowbanks, deer and crows in the yard, and daily weather updates. These tales were of course told over a bottomless cup of coffee, after Dad had a shave, of course. She also really enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving are her children, daughter, Debra (Randy) Kirchhoff, Ironwood, Michigan; son, Dale (Rebecca) Ekmark, Angora, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Marcie (Adam) Byers, Wausau, Wisconsin; Tyler (Nicole) Wicklund, Gile, Wisconsin; Morgan (Ethan) Powell, Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Devan Ekmark, Minnetonka, Minnesota; six great-grandchildren; Cooper and Addie Wicklund, Ava, Lexi, Jack Byers, and Blake Powell; and her sister-in-law, Jan Bodas, Pittsburg, Missouri.

Besides her parents and beloved aunt, she was preceded in death by her brother, Daniel Bodas.

Private services and interment will be held at a future date.

The family has chosen McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home of Ironwood to honor Patricia's legacy of life. You can leave a condolence or a tribute at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.