Thomas R. "Tom" Ekum, 85, died Oct. 26, 2015, at Hospice House, Hutchinson. He was born Jan. 8, 1930, in Vernon County, Wisconsin, to Albert and Bertha (Oren) Ekum. He graduated from Viroqua High School, Viroqua, Wis., in 1948.

Tom was a corporal in the U. S. Army from 1951-1953. He was a past commander of the McPherson American Legion Post 24, is a member of the Eagles and the Elks Lodge, and is a lifetime member of the VFW. Tom was owner and operator of Mid Kansas Produce, and later Midwest Ice and worked as a federal poultry inspector in Arkansas. He was a member of Emanuel Lutheran Church.

On Nov. 12, 1950, he married Gwendolyn Roth in McPherson. She died Feb. 1, 2006.

Survivors include: children, Kristi Ekum, Dodge City, Kimberly Ekum-Anthony Harris (Michael Harris), Kansas City, Mo., Craig Ekum (Joleen), McPherson, and Richard Ekum, Wichita; sister, Dorothy Ekum McKittrick, Viola, Wis.; sister-in-law, Barbara Roth Unrein, Great Bend; brother-in-law, Paul Roth, Tulsa, Okla.; grandchildren, Michelle Shelton, Eric Ekum, Jessica Anthony, Haley Cowan, Benjamin Anthony, Jay Harris, Kylie Koehn, and Cody Ekum; and 10 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gwynn; parents; and six brothers and sisters.

Funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 2015, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 140 E. 30th, Hutchinson, with Pastor Tim Carey officiating. Burial will follow at 3 p.m. in McPherson City Cemetery, 1601 Cemetery Drive, McPherson, with military honors conducted by the Fort Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials may be made to Hospice House, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.