Maedell Hunt Ekker was born on August 10, 1934 in Green River, Utah. She was the youngest of ten children born to Elias Franklin and Eva Johnson Hunt. She passed away peacefully on May 6, 2023 at the Goodlife Senior Living Center in Price, Utah at the age of 88. Maedell married the love of her life, Gary R Ekker on December 12, 1952 in Loa, Utah. They raised three beautiful children whom they were very proud of.
Hard work was instilled in Maedell from a very young age. After her brothers were sent to war, she was left to be her dad’s helping hand. Helping him in the fields and on the family farm she learned the value of hard work. Being the youngest of ten children, when her five older brothers were home, she was spoiled rotten and well taken care of. As she built a life with Gary, her hard work continued, from raising three children and taking care of their home to driving truck, mining, and farming. Gary was instrumental in reopening mines and building a mill at Shitaring Creek Canyon and the town of Ticaboo. None of this success would have been possible without the help and support of Maedell as she was working right alongside him to fulfill their dreams.
After their children were raised, they enjoyed their beautiful, simple life at Willow Bend Ranch in Green River until they sold it. At the age of 74, she was bailing hay, hoeing weeds, and throwing water melons alongside Gary. She loved and cherished the life they built. She and Gary traveled across the states to watch and show support for their grandkids in the many activities they were involved in and would wake up at four in the morning in order to be there on Christmas mornings to watch their grandkids open their presents and share the special memories with them. She enjoyed entertaining and teaching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and took every opportunity to brag about them.
Maedell was an amazing homemaker. She took pride in her home and enjoyed cooking for all those she loved. She worked for the Emery County School District for over 20 years as a preschool teacher and teacher’s aide. She loved her job and loved the children she taught.
Maedell is survived by her children, Della Ekker of Green River, UT, Craig (Cindy) Ekker of Round Mountain, NV, and Kyle (RuthAnn) Ekker of Huntington, UT; nine grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
Maedell is preceded in death by her husband, Gary Ekker; parents, Elias and Eva Hunt; siblings, Boyd, Reuben, Irma, Lucinda, Sylvia, Fern, Reed, Arel and Ferris; her in-laws, Riter and Elora Ekker; and brother in-laws, Everett and Don Ekker and Morris Blackburn.
The family would like to send a special thanks to the Goodlife Senior Living Center in Price as well as Symbii Home Health and Hospice and all of the doctors and staff who cared for Maedell.
Funeral service, Monday, May 15, 2023, 12:00 (noon), Green River Ward Chapel (101 North Clark Street, Green River, Utah). The family will receive friends from 10:00 – 11:45 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Elgin Cemetery in Green River, Utah. Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Maedell online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net