Edward Leo Gansen
June 15, 2016Share using:
Mr. Edward Leo Gansen, 88 of Dubuque, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, June 15th, 2016 at home; surrounded by his family.
Services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, June 18th at Holy Family Church, New Melleray with Rev. Michael Podhajsky officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be from 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 17th at Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, where a parish wake service will be held at 2:30 p.m. and a rosary will be led by the Knights of Columbus Council 5513 at 7:00 p.m.
Ed was born on January 25, 1928 in Peosta, Iowa the son of William and Marie (Theisen) Gansen. He married Marjean McMullen on Sept. 21, 1949 at St. Martin’s Church in Cascade, Iowa. They enjoyed 54 years of marriage, before she preceded him in death on March 15th, 2004.
He operated a service station before taking a position at John Deere Dubuque Tractor Works. He retired from John Deere in 1987, after 30 years of service. He was an active member of UAW local 94.
He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church for 55 years. He was a 4th Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. He held numerous positions in the K of C Council 5513, including Grand Knight, Past Grand Knight, and Trustee.
He belonged to the John Deere Retirees Club, and the Social Connection, a singles club. It was at the Social Connection he met his friend and companion Lulubell “Lu” Plumley.
He is survived by his six children: Ron (Shirley) Gansen, of Dubuque; Barb Carlson, of Elkhorn WI; Rick (Micki) Gansen, of Cedar Rapids, IA; Carol (Karl) Poelker, of Safety Harbor, FL; Debbie (Bob) Schroeder, of Crest Hill, IL; Terry (Jennifer) Gansen, of Appleton, WI; Seventeen grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. His siblings, Cyril “Cy” Gansen, Francis Gansen, Melita (Ray) LaPoint, Mary Lou McFadden, Shirley (Roger) Eppler, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marjean; siblings: Bernard Gansen, Florence Delaney, and William “Bill” Gansen.
In lieu of flowers, an Edward Gansen memorial fund will be established.
