Edwin Beiswenger

Edwin Albert Beiswenger, 86, of Crookston, MN, died peacefully with his family at his side, 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, participating in allied actions at Okinawa, the Caroline Islands, and off the coast of Japan. He received an honorable discharge on July 22, 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. They made their first home in Fisher, before buying a farmstead in Crookston Township in 1952. Edwin and Dorothy 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. He was warmly applauded by all in attendance. 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 and their spouses, nine grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren: Edwin A. "Ed" and Patricia Beiswenger Jr. of Moorhead, MN, and their three children, Daniel (Crystal) Beiswenger, Leah (Andy) Ybarra and children-Isaiah, Olivia, and Evan, and Elizabeth (Kyle) Jenkins and children-Keegan and Kailyn; Catherine and Rev. Michael Krentz of Darlington, WI and their four children, Andrew (Carolyn) Krentz and daughter-Allison, Jacob (Linda) Krentz, Emily (Mo) Aleisha and children-Catherine and Madalyn, and Christine Krentz; Diane and Rev. Robert Lehrkamp of Three Lakes, WI and their two children, Sarah (Joseph) Gulig and children-Carter and Madison, and Mark (Jaymie) Lehrkamp and children-Trenton, Taryn, and Treyson; and Jocelyn and Todd Lerol of Powers Lake, ND. 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.

Funeral Home: Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home 615 South Minnesota Street Crookston, MN US 56716

---

Previous Events

Visitation
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Service
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
cemetery
Wednesday, September 26, 2012