Obituary: Dr. Clyde Ekbom

Dr. Clyde William Ekbom, 76, of Cloquet passed peacefully into eternal life on April 22, 2024. He was at home, surrounded by his loving family. Clyde was born June 25, 1947, to Glenn and Leona (Thorp) Ekbom in Mora, Minnesota. He spent his early years in Isle.

The Ekbom family moved to Aitkin in 1953, where Clyde lived until graduating from high school in 1965. His parents owned the iconic Sugar Bowl restaurant, where Clyde spent much of his youth. He was a talented athlete, participating in football, basketball and softball. He also loved playing in the band, and ice skating next to the Sugar Bowl. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 1969 with a degree in English, Clyde volunteered for the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal. Upon returning from the military, Clyde attended Mankato State University, earning a master's degree in speech. He then attended Bemidji State University to earn his teaching credentials and later a master's degree in secondary school counseling. He taught and coached in Mabel and then was a school counselor in Park Rapids. In 1985, he earned a doctor of education degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Virginia. He was an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Minnesota-Duluth from 1985 to 1987, during which he became a licensed psychologist. He moved to the University of Wisconsin-Superior in 1987 and was promoted to full professorship in the school counseling department. He retired from teaching in 2005, and continued working as a therapist in Iowa, Duluth and Cloquet. Dr. Ekbom published numerous professional articles and books, as well as "Can't Never Did Nothin'," a book about his father. He also created and published several counseling toolkits to assist children in expressing themselves while working with therapists. At the time of his passing, he had been writing a historical fiction novel on the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Clyde married his soulmate, Andrea Davis, on Aug. 5, 1989. Together, they raised two daughters, Lisa and Talia. Clyde was a voracious reader. He and his wife enjoyed traveling, camping, biking and walking. He loved music; his whistle preceded him everywhere he went. He recalled and sang lyrics for every occasion. He was a member of the Superior Singers.

His joyfulness, laughter, quick wit, and humor will always be missed. His ease of communicating with others was a gift from God, as were his inquisitive nature and unique thought processes.

His family lovingly remembers him as one of a kind. Clyde will forever be remembered by his wife, Andrea; daughters, Lisa (Jeff) Gasele of Duluth and Talia (Jesse) Fergon of Duluth; grandchildren, Myla, Jamie, Oakley and Gannon; siblings, Bonnie (Ken) Behrmann of Santa Maria, California and Jeff (Darla) Ekbom of Phoenix; and in-laws and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation: 4-6 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet. Visitation continues at 9 a.m. until the 10 a.m. memorial service Friday, May 10 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cloquet. Private family inurnment will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery-Duluth in Saginaw. Memorials to St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Cloquet are preferred.

Pine Knot News, May 3, 2024