Joseph Theodore Ek

Age 84 of Lake Elmo

Joe Ek, a devoted father, loyal friend, and lifelong Minnesota sports enthusiast, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of love, dedication, and generosity.

Joe grew up in St. Paul and was a proud graduate of St. Paul Johnson High School. "Go Govies!" He later served in the U.S. Army before continuing his education at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

In 1968, Joe married the love of his life, Trudy. Together, they built a home filled with warmth and laughter while raising their two sons, Bryan and Brent. Though Trudy's passing in 1991 was a profound loss, Joe carried her memory with him always, honoring their life together through his unwavering commitment to family.

Joe worked in finance within the technology industry, with roles at Control Data and later Seagate Technologies. He took pride in his work and in the role he played in Seagate's expansion into Malaysia and the UK. He retired in 1998 after a long and respected career.

Outside of work, Joe found joy in cheering on his favorite Minnesota teams. He was a passionate fan of the Twins and Vikings and proudly held season tickets during the inaugural season of the Minnesota Wild, embracing the excitement of hockey's return to the state.

In retirement, Joe embraced the things he loved most. Golf became his daily rhythm, offering both challenge and camaraderie. He also enjoyed frequent trips to Las Vegas, where he relished the energy, entertainment, and adventure. For better (and worse), Joe passed both of these passions on to his sons.

Joe will be remembered for his steady presence, his devotion to family, and his ability to find happiness in the moments that mattered most. He often spoke about how proud he was of his four grandchildren-and how proud their grandmother would be as well.

Joe is preceded in death by his wife, Trudy; parents, Carroll and Helen.

He is survived by his sons, Bryan (Colleen) and Brent (Lisa); grandchildren, Benjamin (Emily), Madeline (Joseph) Bakke, Julia (Nathaniel) Musser, and Samuel (Paige); sister, Carol (Roger) Brink; sisters-in-law, Pamela (Greg) Ackerman and Patricia (Steve) Rasset; and many nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life 4-7pm Wednesday, April 29th at Bradshaw, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd., Stillwater. A light dinner will be served. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to American Cancer Society or Alzheimer's Association.