Marietta Ekberg

Marietta Ekberg, 86, Bismarck, died July 3, 2008, at a St. Alexius Medical Center. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 8, at 2:00 PM at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Bismarck with Rev. Michael Horn officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery. The family will be greeting visitors on Monday evening from 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Eastgate Funeral Service in Bismarck. Marietta Ekberg was born in 1922 in Bismarck, ND, the daughter of Philip J. and Etta Hoskins Meyer. She attended Bismarck schools and graduated from Abbot Academy in Andover, MA, in 1940 and from Wellesley College in 1944 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics. She had been encouraged by her Bismarck High School math teacher, Charles Hook. Mr. Hook announced to the class that they all should be proud of Marietta for scoring so high on the national test. She was especially proud to teach US Army soldiers basic mathematics so they could qualify for promotions during WWII. After working as a statistician for EW Axe Investment Company for one year, Marietta married William Ekberg in 1945, an officer in the US Army. After having five daughters, and seeing the youngest leave for grade school, she started a master’s degree program at North Dakota State University to become a family therapist. After working at Q & R Clinic for eight years in the psychiatric department, she went into private practice. Her work in the field was acknowledged by her being elected Fellow in the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists AAFMT. She was the principal owner of Meyer Broadcasting Company and chairman of the board during the time of development of television, FM radio, and cable television. Marietta was the first woman elected to the Vestry of St. George’s Episcopal Church, was a director on the board of Charles Hall Youth Services, on the Heartview Foundation Board, and the board of the Bismarck State College Foundation. She was also a member of the PEO Sisterhood for 50 years and a longtime member of the Bismarck Fortnightly Study Club. She especially enjoyed being a founding member of the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection in Naples, FL. She wrote numerous articles for various organizations; several were published in magazines and periodicals throughout the region. She was also a gifted and enthusiastic teacher and speaker, leading several groups in marital relationships and family communications throughout the years. She enjoyed being a professional clown after age 60, after attending clown college at the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse. She enjoyed being co-President, along with her husband, of the North Dakota Square Dance Association. An only child, Marietta decided at a very young age that she wanted a large family, so no one would ever feel lonely or be alone. It was her crowning joy, her outstanding accomplishment, to raise five terrific daughters. They are Judith Ekberg Johnson, wife of Bruce, parents of Dr. Aaron, Amelia, and Victoria; Nancy Ekberg Tynan, wife of Dr. Dan, parents of Will, Peter, Tim, Jennifer, and Matt; Marietta Turner, wife of Jay Oliver, parents of David, Laura married to Brett Hyder, and Christie; Peggy Hammerling, wife of Dr. Roy, parents of Jeremiah, Rachel, and Josh; and Susan Ekberg Risher, wife of Steve, parents of William, Kari, Erik, and Jordan; five wonderful daughters, five exceptional sons-in-law, and eighteen beautiful grandchildren – a legacy of love. Marietta was a generous, loving, kind, funny, and intelligent woman. She kept her humor even through all her difficulties, and could always make everyone laugh. She loved life, and thought it a grand adventure. The world is a much better place for her having lived, and she will be keenly missed by all who knew her, friends, family, and acquaintances. She touched so many – We love you, Marietta – you are always with us, forever in our hearts.

Marietta Ekberg

March 10, 1922 - July 3, 2008