Heaven received a very special spirit when our beloved Dee passed into the next life after a heroic battle with cancer. Born in Ogden to Lamont and Barbara Ekstrom, Dee grew up in Kaysville and Syracuse.  He graduated from Clearfield High School in 1968. After graduating, he joined the United States Army Reserves at the age of 17; where he honorably served in Company C Engineering Battalion. 

Dee married his love, Jolene Rae Sherman, in 1973 and raised three wonderful children together in Ogden. Dee and Jolene were later sealed, along with their three children, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple in 1995.

Dee worked as a laboratory technician at Western Zirconium where he spent 32 years.  Prior to that, he worked at IRS, Cutter Lab, and GSL. Dee was an AVID sports fan, especially college football.  He enjoyed cheering for BYU, Utah State, and Weber State. The most important thing to him was serving and protecting his family. He was the most supportive father and grandfather ever, never missing anything that his family was involved in. No matter what his family was interested in, he became their number one fan and dove in 100%. Dee had a firm testimony of the restored gospel and in his Savior, Jesus Christ.

He enjoyed going to live theater, movies, sporting events of all kind, vacations, and fishing at the pond behind his house.  He could make any stranger a friend within seconds. He loved to motivate and encourage those around him and build up others’ confidence with quotes, books, and music.  He had a love for the mountains and cherished time spent at his family’s cabin near Monte Cristo.

He enjoyed watching all of his children and grandchildren’s activities including: running, dance, chess, basketball, crossfit, orchestra, choir, soccer, wrestling, fencing, baseball, swimming, plays, primary programs, science fairs, scouting, school activities, RC car races… anything they were interested in, he was there.

Dee is survived by Jolene, his loving wife of 43 years; children, Michael (Mandy) Ekstrom, Brian (Lesa) Ekstrom, and Lisa (Josh) Preece; 10 grandchildren; parents, Lamont and Barbara Ekstrom; brother, Dennis (Kay) Ekstrom; and sister-in-law, Alicia Ekstrom.  He was preceded in death by his brother Kevin Ekstrom and his grandparents.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the Burch Creek 1st Ward, 5161 South 1300 East, Ogden.  Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.  Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd. 

Special thanks to the many doctors, nurses and caregivers who helped him through his fight with cancer.

There's still time to send flowers to the Visitation at the Lindquist Ogden Mortuary from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on September 9, 2016.