Orphy Ekstrom (Gillen) Lassard

Ekstrom Orphy (Gillen) Ekstrom Lassard. Orphy passed away peacefully on December 30 in Golden Valley, MN after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Born March 24, 1913, in Duluth, MN to John Jule and Agnes Matilda Gillen, she grew up in West Duluth. As a young girl, she was teamed with her brother, Gerald, dancing and singing with Geraldine Butler's Twin Ports Kiddies and Duluth Kiddies, appearing onstage at the Lyric and Lyceum theatres, as well as many other theatrical venues throughout the area. She was married to Philip F. Ekstrom in 1934 and had two children, Joyce and Darryl (Boots). The family resided in Duluth's West End neighborhood. Mr. Ekstrom preceded her in death in 1968. She was also preceded in death by her second husband, Albert J. Lassard and grandson, Mark D. Ekstrom. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Joyce C. and Charles W. Fairbrother of Los Osos, CA; her son and daughter-in-law, Darryl P. and Charlotte R. Ekstrom of Golden Valley, MN; granddaughter and husband Steffany R. and Kurt J. Truax of Crystal, MN; grandsons, Charles P. Fairbrother of Cayucos, CA, Steven S. Fairbrother of Palos Verdes Estates, CA, grandson and wife Dr. Jeffrey T. and Julie M. Fairbrother of Baltimore, MD; great-grandson, Lucas Mark Truax, and many nieces and nephews. Orphy was an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church for many years. She will be deeply missed by the community and her family. Funeral services Saturday, January 4, 1:00 PM at Bell Brothers Funeral Chapel, Duluth. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church of Duluth or the Alzheimer's Association.

Published on January 2, 2003