Edwin Albert

Edwin Albert Beiswenger

Edwin Albert Beiswenger, 86, of Crookston, MN, died peacefully with his family present, Thursday evening, September 20, 2012, at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.

Edwin was born to Emil and Lenora (Ross) Beiswenger, at Fisher, MN on May 5, 1926, the oldest of six children. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Fisher, and attended school in Fisher. Edwin worked with his father and brothers on the family farm, before entering the U.S. Navy on January 23, 1945. He served aboard the USS Wickes, USS Aldermin, and USS Steamer Bay in the Pacific Theater of Operations during WWII. He received an honorable discharge in 1946. On November 8, 1949 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Meyer at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Crookston. Edwin and Dorothy raised four children: Edwin Jr., Catherine, Diane, and Jocelyn. Edwin bought a farm in Crookston Township in 1952. He continued to live on the farm after retirement, and not a day went by that Edwin wasn't concerned about the state of farming, the latest developments in technology, and how his friends and neighbors were doing. Faith, family, and farming were the words that could best sum up Edwin's life.

Edwin was a devoted member of Grace Lutheran Church in Crookston and served on the church board. He was a former member of River Heights Lutheran Church in East Grand Forks, MN, where he served as chairman of the school board. He had long held memberships in Crookston's American Legion Post #20 and VFW Post #1902, and had great love for our country. He did what he could to show support for those working to keep us free, and was extremely proud to have been part of the Greatest Generation. During the 2001 Fisher High School graduation ceremony, Edwin was awarded his high school diploma, recognizing the fact that he was drafted into the Navy before he could graduate. Edwin loved to socialize with friends, and was a tireless volunteer at RiverView Care Center in Crookston, where he was affectionately known as "Ed the popcorn man."

Loving family members include his beloved wife of 63 years, Dorothy; four children: Edwin A. "Ed" (Patricia) Beiswenger Jr. of Moorhead, MN, Catherine (Rev. Michael) Krentz of Darlington, WI, Diane (Rev. Robert) Lehrkamp of Three Lakes, WI, and Jocelyn (Todd) Lerol of Powers Lake, ND, nine grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Edwin is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Florence and Russell Swenson of Osage, MN; a sister-in-law, Julia Rutherford of Fisher, MN; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Lenora; and four brothers: Ronald, Gerald and his wife, Joanne, and Willard, and Willmar.

The funeral service for Edwin Albert Beiswenger will be held at 10:00 am, Wednesday, September 26, 2012, at Grace Lutheran Church in Crookston, MN, with Rev. Rolf Preus, officiating.

Visitation will be at Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home on Tuesday from 5-7:00 pm, with a 7:00 pm, prayer service, and also at the church for one hour prior to the funeral.

Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery at Fisher, MN. Military Honors will be provided by the Crookston Veterans Council and the National Guard Honors Unit from Moorhead, MN.

Edwin's online registry may be signed at www.stenshoelhouske.com

(Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home, Crookston)

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