Joseph Ekstrom

Joseph Cooper Ekstrom (Joe) returned to his Heavenly Father July 20th. He was born June 7, 1923, in Arco, Idaho to John Lovett Ekstrom and Violet Parker Cooper. After the death of his father when Joe was only 7, his mother moved her young family to Cache Valley, Utah and later married John Heyrend, a widower with six children. Joe joined the Army and served in the European Conflict as a Military Policeman 1942-1946. Upon his return from World War II, he married his high school sweetheart, Loma Mary Jones, for time and all eternity May 1, 1946, in the Logan LDS Temple. He worked for Mtn. Bell Telephone where he retired after 35 years of service. He was actively involved in the LDS Church and served his Heavenly Father faithfully as an Elders Quorum President, Scout Master, Stake Missionary and in the Stake Mission Presidency. He and Loma served a full-time proselyting mission in Michigan and an inner city mission in Salt Lake City. They also served as temple workers for many years. His professional and church service and humble loving spirit brought him many lifelong friends. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is preceded in death by his sweetheart Loma. He is survived by their five children, Joseph Jones (Deann), Violet Ann McCleery (Michael), Edward Dean (Missy), Brenda Lee Mabey (Gary) and Michael Kelly (Rebecca); 41 grandchildren including spouses; and 53 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 29th at the Fort Union 5th Ward building, 6770 S. 500 E. in Midvale, Utah. Viewings will be from 6-8 p.m. Sunday and 10-10:40 a.m. Monday at the same location.