Charles Ekstedt

Charles Ekstedt, age 72, of St. James died on Monday, September 27, 2010, at his home in St. James. Charles William Ekstedt was born August 13, 1938, to Clifford and Minnie (Johnson) Ekstedt in Mt. Lake, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church in St. James. He graduated from St. James High School in 1957 and served in the U.S. Army from November, 1961 to November, 1964. On June 11, 1966 he was united in marriage to Sylvia Wagner at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church. He worked with his father and brother in the family business, Ekstedt and Sons Implement until 1970. He was later employed as parts manager at Tony Downs Foods and Lee Implement in Madelia. Chuck belonged to the Fraternal Order of Eagles #3420 and the American Legion Post #33. Besides hunting and fishing he enjoyed antique cars and tractors. He especially loved his grandchildren and savored the time spent with them on family vacations at Lake Miltona each summer. Survivors include his wife Sylvia Sue Ekstedt of St. James; son Chad (Tammy) Ekstedt and children Kelsey, Cassidy and Carson Ekstedt, Eagle Lake, MN; daughter Nikole (Paul) Kolden and children Michael and Callie Coleman, Lydia and Spence Kolden, Ormsby, MN; sister Marlene (Erich) Herzog, Englewood, FL; sister-in-law Gloria Ekstedt, St. James. He was preceded in death by his parents Clifford and Minnie Ekstedt, brother Clifford C. Ekstedt and niece Kathy Swanson.