C. Ekstam

C. FRED EKSTAM

North Liberty

C. Fred Ekstam, 83, of North Liberty, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, Aug. 24, 2014. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. A reception will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church or Iowa City Hospice.

Arrangements are with Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service.

Fred was born Dec. 3, 1930, in Cherokee, Iowa, the son of John E. Ekstam and Ada M. Anderson. He was a graduate of Laurens High School and received his bachelor's degree from Augustana College and his master's degree in geography from the University of Iowa. Fred served in the U.S. Army in Alaska, during the Korean War. On Sept. 2, 1956, Fred married Adrienne Diane Johnson of Batavia, Ill. Fred was the president and owner of Iowa Industrial Hydraulics in Pocahontas, Iowa, a company which manufactured hydraulic cylinders. In 1986, they moved to Fort Collins, Colo., where Fred assisted in the design and marketing of the Easy-Pivot chair for the Rand-Scot Corporation. The Easy-Pivot chair which was widely used by quadriplegics and others with disabilities.

Fred enjoyed fishing and sailing and was a gifted woodworker. He also enjoyed reading, especially Civil War history.

The family extends their appreciation to the caregivers at UIHC and Iowa City Hospice for their excellent care.

Survivors include his loving wife, Diane and their three children, Mary Helen Ekstam of Naperville, Ill., Karen (Frank) Ekstam Smith of Iowa City and Peter (Tracy) Ekstam of Cranberry Township, Pa.; four grandchildren, Ben and Sarah Smith and Ava and Alaina Ekstam; and a sister, Louise Lund of Moorhead, Minn.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John C. Ekstam.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.