Edward R. Parish, 88

Delavan — Edward R. Parish, age 88, of Delavan, died March 9, 2008, at the United Hospital, Blue Earth.

Funeral services were held March 13, 2008, at the United Methodist Church in Delavan, with Rev. Wane Souhrada officiating. Burial was in Rice Lake Cemetery, Delavan. Spencer-Owen Funeral Home in Winnebago was in charge of arrangements.

Edward was born July 1, 1919, at Ledyard, Iowa, the son of Robert E. and Harriet F. (Coursen) Parish.

They later moved to Rapid City, S.D., where his father worked for Gustav Borglum on the faces of Mt. Rushmore. When Edward was 13 both of his parents passed away. He was sent to Blue Earth to live with an Uncle. He attended Blue Earth High School. Edward worked for the Spencer Saw Mill and House Moving Co. in Blue Earth. On May 18, 1940, he married Lucille Jenkins at Vernon Center. He also worked for his father-in-law, Herbert Jenkins, on a farm south of Delavan. In 1944, he enlisted in the Navy and was discharged on Nov. 11, 1945 as Fireman 1st Class. On March 1, 1946 he became manager of the Delavan Telephone Co. and later purchased it. In 1983 he retired and turned the business over to his son, Ronald.

Edward loved to fish, hunt and garden. He was also Chief of the Delavan Fire Department for 20 years.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years: Lucille Parish of Delavan, sons: Ronald (Patricia) Parish of Delavan, Robert (Barbara) Parish of Little Canada, daughters: Sandra (Dan) Bruzek of Ellendale, Karen (Edward) Kramer of Stacy, Gayle Parish of White Bear Lake, brother: Rev. Harold Parish of Loon Lake, Wash., sister: Florence Williams of Modesto, Calif., sisters-in-law: Florence Sorenson of Lake Crystal, Mavis Schumacker of Morristown, Collette Jenkins of Delavan, brother-in-law: Norman (Mary Ann) Jenkins of Mapleton, eight grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.