Faith Parenteau Ek

Faith Anne Parenteau Ek, age 65, of Hugo, Minnesota, died peacefully while surrounded by her loving family on Friday, July 7, 2023.  Faith was born December 3, 1957 in Saint Paul, Minnesota to George and Gladys (nee LaBore) Parenteau.  She grew up in Gem Lake, Minnesota and later moved to White Bear Lake where she raised her two sons. 

In 1992, she met the love of her life, Jeff Ek, and they were married in 1994 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in NE Minneapolis.  Together they shared a love for photography, travel, and family.  Faith took every opportunity she could to travel and capture her memories on film. She loved shooting nature, the Northern Lights, and birds.  Faith felt the accomplishment of traveling to 42 of the 50 states and continued traveling until the last months of her life with her last journey taking her to the beloved North Shore of Lake Superior. 

Faith was an avid reader, enjoying most genres, but was a devoted Steven King fan.  She loved her family more than anything and looked forward to time spent with them, cooking/baking for them, and enjoying a great laugh.  She was a proud grandma; her five grandchildren held an incredibly special place in her heart. 

She is preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Sherry Anderson and Julie Baier.  She will be forever missed by those who knew and loved her including her devoted husband, Jeff; sons, Virgil (Laura) Churchill, Andy (Anna) Churchill; grandchildren, Roland, Stella, Landon, Mira, Jack; siblings, Wayne (Rhonda) Parenteau, Lenny (Paulette) Parenteau, Steve (Colleen) Parenteau, Janie (Kevin) Kroells, Evonne Parenteau, Jeff (Bonnie) Parenteau; and many nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Thursday, July 13, 2023 at Faith Lutheran Church, 886 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake.  The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church.