Evans Funeral Home
"Compassionate Funeral Service"
Carrington and New Rockford, North Dakota
701.652.3003 or 701.947.2911
Secondary Number ~ 701.650.9937
Marlene Ekren
Marlene Ekren died Monday, December 4, 2023, at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Marlene Kay Ferguson was born in Carrington on May 22, 1937, to Harry and Grace (Indergaard) Ferguson. She attended Rose Hill Country School and graduated from Bordulac High School.
On June 23, 1955, she married H.M. “Buffa” Ekren at Trinity Lutheran Church in Carrington. Marlene and Buffa were blessed with six beautiful children. They raised their family and farmed many years west of Kensal. In 2017 they moved into Carrington.
Marlene’s greatest love was for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She loved gardening, reading, doing craft shows and quilting. Marlene was a 4-H leader for many years and an active member of the Kensal United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her husband Buffa Ekren; her three sons, Dennis (Becky) Ekren, Denver, CO, Dean (Brenda) Ekren, Kensal, ND, Kelly (Dana) Ekren, Kensal, ND; three daughters Mamie Ekren of Fargo, ND, Joni (Bryon) Smith of Fargo, ND and Cassie (Cory) Smith of Carrington, ND; eight grandsons, 6 granddaughters; sixteen great-grandchildren; a brother Lennie (Pat) Ferguson of Rugby, ND.
Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, a brother Jerry Ferguson and a sister Delores Wolf.
Marlene’s Visitation will be Wednesday, from 6:30 PM-7:30PM followed by a Prayer Service at 7:30 PM all at Evans Funeral Home, Carrington.
A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, December 7, 2023, at 1:00PM at United Methodist Church, Kensal, ND.
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This breaks our hearts💔 hugs to Buffa and the family and prayers for strength through the holiday season and beyond🙏🏻✝️
Sympathy to the Ekren family. I always enjoyed visiting with Marlene when I would see her.
Hold on to those memories.
Sending hugs and prayers to you all. Ms. Marlene was a beautiful person in so many ways. She left an amazing legacy in all of you.
Rest in Peace Auntie! love you always, Your name sake! Jami
Keep everyone in your prayers! So sorry family! love u always!
My heart goes out to the entire family. Marlene was such a beautiful person inside and out. She was so kind. Cherish her memory. 🙏
Marlene was a force for good. My favorite memory of her was helping my Mom adjust a dress for a wedding. She was an incredible role model and beautiful soul. My life is enriched because I knew her. Bless you all.
Our sincere sympathy to Buffa and all of your family. Marlene was a dear lady. Claire & Jill Vigesaa
I am so sorry for your loss, Cassie.
Remembering Marlene and the word that describes her would be – kindness…She was a gracious lady.
Sending thoughts
My prayers to all of the Ekren’s. Marlene was a great lady and so much fun to be around with amazing sense of humor. Her memories will live on.
So sorry, our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with Buffa and his family. Hugs
Sending our sincere sympathy to Buffa and family. Marlene was a wonderful lady and will be missed by many.
Sorry to hear about the passing of your mom, prayers for you all, Kathy and Joel Devillers
I’m an old friend of Joni’s from Fargo – I knew Dean as well. They spoke so highly of Marlene, and I recognized her name immediately. Prayers to all of you
Prayers to the Ekren family
Our deepest sympathy to Buffa and the rest of the family
Our thoughts & prayers are with the family!
Steve & I wish we could be there to offer our condolences and hugs. I always think of Marlene when I sew, and all the little ways she helped me to learn to do it better. She was a role model to many and a friend to everyone! Cherish the memories as you grieve her loss. This is one of my favorite prayers for times like this.
May the veil between heaven and earth seem especially thin. May you sense, like never before, the presence and the power of the living God. Jesus won the victory. He defeated death and sin. He made a public spectacle of the powers that oppose us. Though you have troubles and trials, you serve a strong and mighty God who means what He says, and does what He says He’ll do. One day there’ll be no more tears; no more war; no more hatred. Keep walking. Keep believing, because you’re only passing through. You are heaven bound.
Prayers for Buffa and the family.
Marlene was a wonderful person!
Carolyn (Hedman) Lillo and Marlene shared many happy hours as teenagers in Bordulac. Laughter was their constant companion. Carolyn would talk about the numerous phone calls and visits they would have. Time passed well for each of them. Our thoughts are with you as you grieve the passing of a wonderful person. My sister and Marlene always maintained their friendship.
My heart is breaking for you Buffa, Mamie , Dennis , Dean, Joni , Kelly and Cassie. I hope you find comfort in knowing my mom and dad were right there with open arms to welcome their dear lifetime friend And now they are watching over all of us, with the same love and guidance they always did.
I am so sorry for your loss. I always remember her from church. She was such a loving person.
An angel with the face of a Mom and Wife! So blessed to have had this beautiful lady in our lives!
I truly miss people like your mom in our world. What I remember about her? She was always pleasant, warm and would always share a smile. Holding your family up in prayer.
Prayers and thoughts to you Buffa and family
Our thoughts and prayers for the Ekren family. We are very sorry for your loss.
Your mom was truly a masterpiece of God’s love. I can’t remember her without a smile on her face. She too, was the one who taught me how to sew and she never got frustrated with me when I couldn’t quite get what she was trying to show me. Let’s not forget her amazing, Ginger snap cookie recipe that is the very best! I think of her when ever I make them. So many wonderful memories made that I will cherish forever! Rest in Peace…