Anita Mae Ekstrom

Anita Mae Ekstrom was born in Omaha, Nebraska on February 16, 1952 to Carl and Darlyne (Newman) Ekstrom. Anita came to faith in Christ as a child. 

Following her graduation from Harry A Burke High in 1970, she attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO). While in college she was active the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and in 1975 she became a founding member of the singles ministry at Christ Community Church (then known as the Omaha Gospel Tabernacle).

Graduating with a degree in Speech Therapy, she later received two Masters degrees from UNO, one in Speech Therapy and the other in Learning Disabilities. Anita worked for the Omaha Public Schools as a Speech Therapist for three years before taking a summer job at Immanuel Hospital. Anita enjoyed working in a hospital environment, so this summer job transitioned into a thirty-nine-year career with Immanuel, which is now part of CHI Health.

At church, Anita involved herself in several areas over her life: Singles Ministry, Evangelism Explosion, Suppers Eight, serving the Sunday morning front desk for thirty years, Stephen Ministry, Women’s Bible Study, nursing home visitation, and Senior Adult ministry activities.

Taking care of family was always a priority. Anita prepared the family’s Christmas breakfast on Christmas Day for many years and organized the Newman family’s annual reunion at the Veterans Hall in Omaha.

In recent years, she took the primary role of looking after her mother Darlyne’s health care.

Her coworkers at Immanuel Hospital said that Anita’s patients loved her. She loved her profession and was always reading about recent developments and keeping herself updated. Even after she retired, Anita applied her years of experience as a Speech Therapist to helping others with whom she came in contact with.

Anita had a reputation for being generous in helping others and will be greatly missed by those knew her.

Preceded in death by father, Carl Ekstrom; brother, Brent Ekstrom.

Survived by mother, Darlyne Ekstrom; siblings, Daryl Ekstrom, Jeffrey (Mary) Ekstrom, Kevin Ekstrom, Sandra Ekstrom; niece, Stephanie Ekstrom; step niece, Kris Schwening; step nephew, Bill Schwening; long time close friend, John Kopecky.

Burial Forest Lawn Cemetery

Memorials to the Open Door Mission.