Erndine “Deeney” Ekren, age 81 of Sac City, IA, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 9, 2020, at Loring Hospital in Sac City. Erndine Ellen Pettengill was born on February 25, 1939, to parents Leo and Violet (Riggs) Pettengill in Cherokee, IA. She grew up and attended school in Cherokee. After graduating high school, Erndine attended the University of Colorado in Denver, CO, and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
On April 10, 1954, Erndine married the love of her life, Selmer Wayne Ekren, in Pocahontas, IA. This union was blessed with three children: Wayne, Debbie, and Melissa. Wayne and Erndine raised their family in Cherokee where she was employed as a Psychiatric Nurse at Cherokee Mental Health Institute. After many years in the nursing field, Erndine then worked as a claims analyst for CSRG until retiring in 2009.
Throughout her life, Erndine enjoyed traveling with her family. Just recently, she was able to enjoy traveling to San Juan, Puerto Rico on a cruise ship with her family…a trip that created many precious memories that they will be able to hold close to their hearts forever. Over the years they visited many states in the U.S., but Colorado always held a special place in her heart. Erndine was an avid reader who always enjoyed a good book. She also enjoyed finding treasures/bargains at garage sales.
In 1989, Wayne and Erndine moved to Clearwater Beach, FL, where they owned and operated their own business. Wayne passed away at just 66 years of age and it was then that Erndine moved back to Iowa. She lived with her daughter Debbie and son-in-law Darwin in Sac City and attended Emanuel-St. John Lutheran Church in Lytton, IA. Erndine was very close with her children and grandchildren. Her absence will surely leave a void in each of their lives. She will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved her.
Left to cherish Erndine’s memory include her children: Wayne (Vanessa) Ekren of New Port Richey, FL, Debbie (Darwin) Ekren-Otto of Sac City, IA, and Melissa (Howard) Ochsner of Lochbuie, CO; a passal of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and oodles of great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law Susie Ritts of Washta, IA; many extended family members and friends.
Erndine was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Ekren; parents Leo Pettengill, Violet Pettengill-Barnes, and Seeley Barnes; brother George (Darlene) Pettengill; brothers-in-law: Dennis (Janet) Ekren, and Alyn Ritts.