Longtime Pastor Harry Ekstam, 94, Dies at Holmstad Facility That Bears His Name

Longtime pastor Harry J. Ekstam died Aug. 2 at the Holmstad Ekstam Assisted Living space in Batavia, a place of comfort and caring that was named after him. He was 94.

Ekstam was born March 7, 1918, in Moline, the son of Harry E. and Ruth (nee Carlson) Ekstam. He was united in marriage to Lorene Hagberg on Sept. 10, 1943, for 44 years, until she died on Dec. 29, 1987. Harry was remarried to Joyce White on Aug. 20, 1988, until her passing on Aug. 25, 2011.

Harry was a graduate from Augustana College in Rock Island. He then pursued his calling as a minister and enrolled at North Park Theological Seminary graduating in 1943. He was pastor at Covenant Churches in Beverly and Lynn, MA, Naugatuck, CT,  Covenant Church, and Trinity Covenant Church in Oak Lawn, IL. 

As well as being a caring pastor, Harry was a seasoned administrator at two children’s homes in Brooklyn, NY, and Princeton, IL, and three Covenant Retirement Communities in Santa Barbara, CA, Batavia, IL and Plantation, FL.

Harry then joined the Covenant Trust Company, and in 2001 he officially retired.

Harry is survived by his two children, Kathryn E. (Walter) Schiller, of Chicago and Gregory J. Ekstam, of Davis, CA; six grandchildren, Todd (Elizabeth) Milbourn, Emily Milbourn, and Peter (Johannah) Milbourn; and Eric Ekstam; five great-grandchildren Matthew, Hannah, Nathan, Madison and Victoria; two step-daughters, Jill Hebert and Jan Arvanetes; and two step-grandchildren, Mark and Adam Hebert; a sister Carolyn (nee Ekstam) Cedarleaf, of MN; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, and his first and second wives; he is preceded in death by his daughter, Deborah Ann, who had died at infancy; and his sister, Eunice Hagberg. 

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, 2012, at the , 1314 West Main St., Batavia, IL. The Rev. Mark Nilson will officiate.

A private interment took place at West Batavia Cemetery in Batavia.

Memorials in Harry’s memory may be directed to the Holmstad Benevolent Care Fund, 700 W. Fabyan Parkway, Batavia, IL 60510.

This obituary was courtesy of in Batavia. For more information, call 630-879-7900.