Hans was born on the island of Faro Sweden to Johan and Nanna Ekstrom. He grew up farming and fishing with older brother Rune and sister Inga, and little brother Per.

Hans left home at 15 to work on merchant ships and for the next ten years he saw a lot of the world. Hans came back to Sweden to work on light ships on the island of Oland, and there met Majken Petersson. They were married on July 25, 1952. In 1957 Hans and Majken along with son Mikael immigrated to America and made their home in Seattle.

Hans first worked in construction , but the ocean was his calling. He started fishing and not too long he got his own boat the " Patty Sue". With Mikael they fish the coastal waters of Washington, Oregon, and California trolling for salmon. Hans turned his attention to bottom trawling and he purchased the "Soupfin" and he fished Washington and British Columbia and did salmon packing in Alaska.

In 1967 the family moved to Anacortes with two more children five-year-old daughter Gunilla and two-year-old son Torkel. In 1976 Hans bought the " Lone Star "a Gulf Coast shrimp boat in Brownsville Texas and brought it to Seattle through the Panama Canal and refitted for bottom fishing. Hans along with sons Mikael , Torkel and longtime employee and bonus son Chuck Burrice fished the "Lone Star " in Alaska. Upon retirement, Hans sold the boat to Chuck who continued fishing with it in Alaska.

If you met Hans for the first time, you would not be strangers for very long. Within minutes he would know where you were born, what you do for work and numerous details of your life. He had a curious mind and people's lives were interesting to him. Hans loved cats and dogs! Just don't let him watch your pets, because they will need retraining and a diet in no time. Dog treat company stocks are going to plummet.

His family and friends will miss his insight, sage advice, generosity, and thoughtfulness. Most of all we'll miss his wonderful sense of humor, his jokes and funny phrases, all delivered in his Swedish accent! The one that he probably used as he was going to the next life was "I'm leaving. "

Hans is predeceased by his parents John and Nanna , wife Majken brother Rune, and his sister lnga. He is survived by his brother Per Ekstrom who lives at the family farm in Sweden, son Mikael Ekstrom, daughter Gunilla Wold (Marvin,) son Torkel Ekstrom (Debbie). Grandchildren: Kelsey Ekstrom-Garcia (Gino) Mallory Kidder (Ryan) Bonus grandchildren Justin and Sarah; great grandchildren:

Mateo, Russell, Luke, Ella, and Audrey. Also, numerous nieces and nephews in Sweden.

"The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea." Isak Dinesen.

A Celebration of Hans' Life will be held later in the summer.

To view photos and to share memories of Hans, please sign the online guestbook at https://www.evanschapel.com