David Orlando Ekre Sr.

David "Stubby" Ekre Sr., age 87, of Beach, North Dakota passed away at Benedictine Living Community on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 30, 2024 at First Lutheran Church in Beach with Pastor Liz Franz officiating. Inurnment will be held at Beach Lutheran Cemetery. Silha Funeral Home of Beach has been entrusted with the arrangements. Today, we say goodbye to a man who was truly one of a kind—our grandpa, David Ekre Sr., though most folks simply knew him as “Stubby”. Whether his nickname came from his short stature or his unique double thumb on one hand, it was a name that stuck—and so did the stories he told about it. As kids, he’d warn us not to suck our thumbs, claiming that’s how his ended up that way. And if that didn’t work, he’d tell us he smashed it with a hammer, spinning the kind of tall tales that only Grandpa could. Grandpa was the heart of our family and a cornerstone of the small-town life he loved so dearly. Grandpa’s love story with our grandmother, Marj began just across the river from each other. Stubby was born in Shevlin Village, Clearwater County, Minnesota on June 28, 1937, to Even and Grace (Thorson) Ekre. He was raised on a farm in the Shevlin Village area and attended school in Shevlin until the 8th grade. Grandpa and the love of his life, Marjorie Louise Pond were married July 3rd, 1959 at Zion Lutheran Church in Leonard, Minnesota. They moved to Beach where they built a life full of hard work, love, and laughter. He adored his “babe”, our grandmother, Marj. Together, they raised two sons, David Ekre Jr. and Kim Ekre, who carried on their legacy of hard work and family values. Their love story was full of laughter, banter, and the kind of bickering that only comes from deep affection. Their playful arguments were just their way of saying, “I love you.” They were truly each other’s world, and Grandpa was never quite the same after she passed. As a proud father and grandfather, he cherished spending time with his six grandkids and doted on his seven great-grandkids. Grandpa treasured every moment with us, from sharing his one-liners to creating lasting memories that we’ll carry with us forever. Stubby was a hard worker, turning wrenches as a mechanic at both West Plains Implement and Dakota Farm Equipment in Beach. He also spent many hours mowing ditches for Golden Valley County and driving the ambulance during blizzards. Whether fixing equipment or lending a hand during harvest, he was always ready to help local farmers, and his willingness to jump in and help out, no matter the task, made him a trusted figure in the community. At home, our grandparents were known for their rather large garden, which Grandpa could be found tilling every spring. He took great pride in the bounty it produced each year, and the family shared in its rewards. Grandma’s lefse and potato dumplings were among Grandpa’s favorite dishes. He was a meat, potatoes, and gravy kind of man through and through, and nothing made him happier than a hearty meal shared with his family. In his free time, Grandpa loved fishing from his old boat whenever it was running, (which wasn’t always guaranteed) but boy, oh boy, he couldn’t swim! However, that didn’t stop him from enjoying every moment on the water. Grandpa found joy in life’s simple pleasures—Pepsi (or Coke, depending on the day), corn nuts, sweets, and steaks cooked well done, but nothing lit up his face quite like cake and ice cream. His love for dessert was legendary in our family. If there was cake and ice cream around, you knew he was happy. You could always recognize Grandpa by his hat, as he was rarely seen without one of his vintage Case IH caps, and in Beach, you’d most often spot him driving around town in his beloved red and white GMC pickup truck, his pride and joy. Whether running errands, visiting with neighbors, or just taking in the sights, that truck was part of his daily routine and a symbol of the small-town life he held so dear. Stubby also had a deep appreciation for old country music and classic westerns on TV. Any John Wayne show that came on was guaranteed to capture his attention. Every time, without fail, he’d claim he’d never seen that one before, just to settle in and enjoy it all over again. It was his unique blend of humor and his love for nostalgia, and it brought a smile to everyone around him. Some of my fondest memories are of him taking us Ekre kids to tractor pulls. If Grandpa won, we’d be out for breakfast at 1 AM—a little tradition that made us feel like the luckiest kids in the world. And when it came time for deer season, Grandpa could always shoot his deer “straight up the arse” as he’d say with a grin. However, when it came time to gut it, that was a task he left to Grandma or one of his boys, as the sight of blood was never for him. Grandpa had a soft spot for his dog: Bandit, Sassy, and most recently, Dolly. You’d rarely see him without a cigarette in hand, and his laid-back charm fit perfectly into the rhythm of small-town life. Grandpa was a people person in every sense of the word. If he didn’t already know you, he’d make you feel like he did and before long, he probably would. He had a wit as sharp as his tools, delivering one-liners that left you laughing long after the conversation ended. He had a big heart and loved to give people grief in the way only he could—teasing but never mean, always with a twinkle in his eye. Grandpa and Grandma loved their few days at the casino, where they’d enjoy playing the slots and laughing together. Grandpa had a special trick up his sleeve—he’d tip the waitresses by holding money between his double thumbs, just to freak them out. It was his signature mix of humor and charm, always leaving people with a story to tell. Even in his later years, Grandpa never lost his sense of humor. During his stay at the Golden Valley Manor and later at St. Ben’s, he continued his tradition of heckling the locals with his quick wit and playful teasing. He made sure that no matter where he was, he could bring a little laughter and a lot of personality to the people around him. Stubby was a man of kindness, grit, and humor. Grandpa loved deeply, worked hard, and lived life in his own special way. While our hearts are heavy without him, I know he’s finally reunited with Grandma Marj, driving through Heaven’s backroads in a red and white GMC, bickering in their way, sporting his favorite Case IH hat, cake, and ice cream in hand, humming an old country tune, and watching a John Wayne western for the “first” time. David is survived by his sons, six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, many in-laws and outlaws (as he referred to them), and nieces and nephews. David was preceded in death by his parents, Even and Grace; his wife, Marjorie; his brother, Ted Ekre; his sisters, Evelyn Thompson and Doris Parks; an infant sibling, baby Ekre, and many in-laws and outlaws! The family would like to thank everyone at Golden Valley Manor and Benedict Living Community for the wonderful care he received while he was a resident. We also want to thank all of Dave’s friends over the years, and those who took the time to visit him, you are all very special people! Thank you! Stubby really enjoyed people! Rest easy, Grandpa. We love you always. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhomes.com.

David Orlando Ekre Sr.

June 28, 1937 - December 11, 2024

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David Orlando Ekre Sr.

June 28, 1937 - December 11, 2024

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

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