Stanley Luther Eken

Stanley Eken, 72, of Fargo, ND died Friday, February 19, 2010 after a brief but courageous battle with cancer, at Villa Maria in Fargo, surrounded by his family. Stanley Luther Eken was born September 3, 1937 to Knut and Clara (Smestad) Eken at rural Hatton, ND. He grew up in the Hatton and Mayville area and graduated high school in Mayville, ND. He married Carol Hagen on September 11, 1955 at Aurdal Lutheran Church, Portland, ND. Together they lived in Mayville and had 5 children. Stanley worked for Haugen Feed briefly and then Crane-Johnson Lumber until retiring. Carol died in 1987. He married Clarice Grandbois on September 26, 1998, in Fargo. Together they lived in Fargo. Stanley was a volunteer for the Mayville Fire Department for many years. He enjoyed woodworking and did a lot of carpentry work throughout his life. He liked to read and also spent time doing many jigsaw puzzles over they years. He had a great interest in sports and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren play, as well as watching the MN Twins. He was an avid softball player, and enjoyed playing horseshoes and bean bag toss with his grandchildren. Stanley is survived by his wife, Clarice of Fargo; 5 children, Randy (Janelle) Eken of Grand Forks, ND, Bryan (Diane) Eken of Seattle, WA, Robyn (Rick) Hanson of Mayville, Brad (Carol) Eken of Portland, and Sandy (Tim) Knudson of Mayville; 6 step-children, Marjean (Bill) Miller of Alaska, Joleen (Jeff) Greenheck of Fargo, Dale (Cheryl) Grandbois of Moorhead, MN, Charlene (Michael) Anda of Fargo, Duane (Cammy) Grandbois of Fargo, and Lisa (Jerrod) McPherson of Fargo; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; 16 step-grandhchildren; 8 step great-granchildren; 2 brothers, Kenneth (Lorraine) Eken of Mayville and Dennis (Jean) Eken of Dent, MN; 2 sisters, Evelyn Anderson of Fargo and Caroline Tunseth of Mayville; 3 sisters-in-law, Arilda Eken of Perham, MN, Shirley Moen of Kent, WA, and Ardis (Dave) Anderson of Kent, WA; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carol; great-grandson, Gabriel Knudson; 2 brothers, Bobby and Arvid Eken; stepson, Donald Grandbois; 2 brothers-in-law, Milton Anderson and Les Tunseth; and sister-in-law Jan Eken. Memorial Service: 1:30 PM, Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at Mayville Lutheran Church, Mayville, ND. Visitation: 5-7 PM Tuesday at Baker Funeral Home, Mayville, ND, with a prayer service at 6:00 PM and one hour prior to the funeral service, at the church. Burial: Mayville Cemetery, Mayville, ND