Leon Roger Ekola

Lee Ekola passed away in his 88th year on December 15, 2022. A child of the depression and of Minnesota's Iron Range, Lee started working at the American Linen plant in Hibbing at the age of 11. His early responsibilities included sorting and folding laundry, loading machines, and keeping the plant clean. After earning his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota in 1958, he was promoted to engineer and later to engineering manager. In 1970 he left American Linen to start Ekola Engineering (later renamed Etech and now Kannegiesser Etech), which provides automated material handling systems for industrial and institutional laundries. The company now employs 220 people and installs equipment around the globe. Lee and his beloved wife Beverly met at a picnic in 1955, and since their marriage in May 1956, they have been nearly inseparable. Their family grew to include five children. Lee did not like to be idle. He loved to build things (kitchen cabinets, a picket fence surrounding their home, a garage for his son's family), and always had his eye out for something to fix, especially at the family's lake home and for friends. He loved boats. Starting in his teens and lasting into his 70's, he built speedboats, runabouts, sailboats, and dinghies. He had boats on Lake Harriet and Lake Superior. He enjoyed cross-country skiing, biking, and volleyball. In the later years of his life, he was an enthusiastic volunteer with Urban Homeworks. Lee is survived by his wife, Beverly; sisters, Judy Porter (Dave) and Lynne Harrington (Jeff); brother, Dean; children, Susan Caron, Nancy Ekola, Darlene Nye (Steve), Ali Gohar (Jane), Peter Ekola (Carita Zimmerman); and seven grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gus and Agnes (Swanson) Ekola; and his granddaughter, Fiona May Ekola. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 29, from 5 -7 PM, at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel. Memorial service on Friday, December 30, at 11 AM, at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church (5025 Knox Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419). Due to severe allergies, we request no flowers or live plants at the visitation or memorial service. Thank you for your understanding. Memorials may be made to Urban Homeworks, which provides quality and affordable housing to Twin Cities' residents (urbanhomeworks.org) or to the Alzheimer's Association (alzheimers.org)

Tributes

Leon Roger Ekola

April 19, 1935 - December 15, 2022

Tributes

Leon Roger Ekola

April 19, 1935 - December 15, 2022

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