Leland Ek

Leland Richard Ek of Mapleton, MN passed away peacefully at the age of 92 on October 10, 2023 at the Mapleton Community Home. Leland was born to Oscar and Selma Ek in Triumph (now Trimont), MN on June 10, 1931, one of seven children. He married Marilyn Dean Warner on January 17, 1953.

Leland, known by most as Lee, had a long and successful career in sales, but his real passions were service to his church and community, and sharing his wonderful singing voice. Over the course of his life, he regularly served on church councils as well as city councils. He was a frequent participant in church services as a choir member, reader, and greeter. Lee also devoted much of his time and energy to community service as a member of the Mapleton Sertoma Club, where he was chosen as “Sertoman of the Year,” and served as a District Governor. In addition, he helped organize the first Maple River Serteen Club and was a leader in the Sertoman’s recycling effort in the community.

Most of all, Lee enjoyed music and singing. He took pride in having been a church choir member for over 70 years, and was frequently called upon to lend his singing voice for church services, weddings, and funerals. Lee took particular joy in singing with his sons, who inherited his singing voice and love for music.

Another of Lee’s passions was golfing.  Once the frost left the ground in the spring, he could be found spending countless hours on the golf course.  He also served as a course ranger at Terrace View for many years.  He amazed his sons that he was still golfing into his eighties and hitting the ball straight down the fairway!

Lee was widowed in 2014 upon the passing of his wife Marilyn. On Sept 12, 2019, he married for the second time, to Kathy Meyer. Kathy and Lee shared love and companionship late in his life, and Kathy was a loving caregiver for Lee through his final days and months.

Leland was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Marilyn; and siblings, Robert, Lucille Olson and Muriel Armbrust. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; his siblings, Lowell, Marian Johnson, and Leone Lokkesmoe; his sons, Jon (Sue), Lee (Cindy), David (Dorothy), and Brian (Keri); eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and Kathy’s children, Amy (Shannon) Sinning, Leilani (Kevin) O’Conner, Scott Granowski; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

The family especially wants to thank Pastor Steve Berkeland for his prayers, and the Mapleton Community Home and Mayo Health Care Hospice for the wonderful care that Lee was given these past weeks.

A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, October 27, 2023 at St. John Lutheran Church in Mapleton. Visitation will be held at the church one hour before the service. Interment will be at Union Cemetery in Mapleton. The service will be livestreamed and available below.

The live stream link below is a complimentary service

provided by Mankato Mortuary.

Unforeseen technical, internet, facility, and/or acoustical circumstances may produce a diminished end product. Please note, if the live stream does not appear, we are attempting to record and publish the service for later viewing.