Russell Carl Ekstrom

On the morning of April 27, 2024, Russell Carl “Bud” Ekstrom passed away peacefully of natural causes at Providence Milwaukie Hospital in Milwaukie, OR. He was 95 years young and the only child of Russell Richard Ekstrom & Irene Evelyn Ekstrom.

Russell was born March 16, 1929, in Portland, OR. He graduated from Milwaukie High School in Milwaukie, OR. He loved to run and set records in track & field, acquiring a record one mile run in 4.34 minutes. He was district champion in 1948 and 1949. He took second place in the state cross country meet and was state champion in 1949. He went on to receive a track scholarship at Santa Ana Jr. College.

After some college in 1950-1953, he served in the U.S. Army. In 1958, he joined the U.S. Navy. In 1961, he met and married Lois Ellen Stoltz (née Carter). Russell retired from the Navy as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CWO-4) in 1980. He and Lois moved to Reedsport, OR until Lois’ passing in January of 2018. Afterwards, Russell moved to Oregon City, OR and stayed there until his passing.

Russell was preceded in death by his mother, father, and wife. He is survived by his daughter, Shirley (Dan) Welch; son, Daniel (Terri) Stoltz; five grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren.

A Visitation will be 12:00pm-12:30pm, Friday, May 10, 2024, at Stehn Family Chapels in Milwaukie, OR. A Cemetery Service with Full Military Honors will be 1:30pm, Friday, May 10, 2024, at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, OR. A Memorial Service will follow at 2:30pm at the Oregon City Christian Church in Oregon City, OR.