Edmund John Dewald worked for two years in an aircraft factory during World War II years and then returned to farm near Bowdle. For some time he was an ASCS grain inspector, served many years on the Farmer's Union Oil Board. As a young man, Edmund played and umpired a lot of baseball.

He was also active in his church, St. Augustine's Catholic Church of Bowdle where he was in the Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society.

In more recent years and living in Bowdle, he was one of the fellows who congregated at Kurle Lumber or the "C" Store in an effort to solve many of the world's problems.

Edmund died Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, at the Bowdle Hospital at the age of 84.

The son of Joe G. and Genevieve (Hoerner) Dewald, Edmund was born Oct. 27, 1922, at his parents' farm six miles east of Bowdle, where he grew up and attended a rural school. After graduation from Bowdle High School, he spent two years in California at the aircraft factory. On his return to Bowdle, he married Frieda (Stuckel) Stappler in Bowdle on June 9, 1952. They settled in Bowdle from where Edmund farmed and Frieda worked at the Bowdle Meat Market.

Frieda died Feb. 25, 1986. Edmund retired from farming in the early 1990s and lived in Bowdle for the remainder of his life.

Survivors include three daughters, Bernadette (Dennis) Burger of Mellette, Paulette (Ron) Preszler of Aberdeen and Mary (Bill) Bachmeier of Mobridge; three brothers, Edward (Florence) Dewald and James (Karen) Dewald of Cudahy, Wis., and Charles (Judy) Dewald of Tempe, Ariz.; six sisters, Geraldine Senn of Hoven, Jeanette (Jerome) Gosh of Cudahy, Delphina (Carl) Sanborn of Ipswich, Betty Hochstetter of Brookings, Carlotta (Jim) Serena of Iron River, Mich., and Carol (Harlin) Knecht of Aberdeen; 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Frieda, Edmund was preceded in death by his father on March 25, 1985, his mother on Sept. 15, 1984, his brother Ralph and a sister, Bernadine in infancy.

Mass of Christian Burial for Edmund was celebrated Saturday, Jan. 6, at St. Augustine's Catholic Church in Bowdle with Monsignor Marvin McPhee as celebrant. Norbert Thomas was Eucharistic Minister, Mishel Sorenson was lector, and Skylar Sorenson and Jordan Bachmeier were Mass servers. Offertory gift bearers were Sarah Preszler, Stephanie Burger and Carrie Carpenter.

Margy Bobby was pianist. Pat Dewald and Tim Dewald were ushers.

Casketbearers were Sean Burger of Colton, Blake Stappler of Pierre, Jared Preszler of Aberdeen, Jonathan Carpenter of Bismarck, N.D., and Wayne Sorenson and Gerald Bourelle of Mellette. Tyler Bachmeier of Mobridge and Grant Preszler of Aberdeen were honorary bearers.

Burial was in the Bowdle Cemetery under the direction of Lien Funeral Home of Bowdle.

To leave an online condolence or to view Edmund's tribute video, visit www.MillerLienFH.com.

Mobridge Tribune January 17, 2007