Virgil C. Edson dies at 92

Virgil C. Edson age 92 of Ionia, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, at Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare in New Hampton.A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018 at the Republic Community Church in rural Ionia with Rev. John Tunnicliff presiding. Interment will be held at Sunnyside Memory Gardens in Charles City with Matt Edson, Tim Edson, Scott Edson, Chad Nelson, David Edson and Charles Edson serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Lisa Nelson, Brenda Edson, Traci Edson, Meagan Edson, Bridget Edson and Jessa Edson.Friends may greet the family from 4 - 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 5, 2018 at Hugeback-Johsnon Funeral Home -- Olson Chapel in Nashua. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service on Saturday at church.  Online condolences for Virgil's family may be left at hugebackfuneralhome.com
Virgil C. Edson was born Oct. 11, 1925 on the family farm in the Republic area in Chickasaw County, the son of Owen R. and Lulu Yetta (Costello) Edson. He attended rural country schools through the 8th grade with perfect attendance. After finishing 8th grade he started working in the area on local farms.  In 1945 he joined the United States Army and took his basic training at Fort Hood, Texas. After basic training he was deployed to Japan to fight in World War II. The war ended on his way to Japan. While he was there he supervised the make-up and break-up of trains in a military railroad yard and in over-the-road operations. Virgil formed many life-long friendships while in the Army, whom he kept in touch throughout his life.After returning from the service Virgil married Carole Muench on Feb. 20, 1948 at Carole's parents home. To this union two sons were born. The couple started farming in the Republic area and continued to do so throughout their whole life. Virgil identified with his calling as a farmer, from a small child to a young boy, husband, father and grandfather. He was never afraid of hard work.Virgil and Carole loved to travel. They would often take trips to South Carolina and visit Virgil's army friend Marvin Kay. Their passion for traveling also included many trips to Branson, the Rose Bowl Parade, Texas and Colorado for army reunions. Virgil loved to square dance as him and Carole were members of the Chick-A-Squares. He enjoyed spending time with his family.He is survived by two sons, Jeffrey (Janice) Edson of Ionia, Clifford (Donna) Edson of Ionia; six grandchildren, Lisa (Chad) Nelson of Nashua, Matt (Bridget) Edson of Ionia, Brenda Edson of Denver, Tim (Jessa) Edson of Waterloo, Scott (Meagan) Edson of Barrington, ILL., Traci Edson of Waterloo; four great-grandchildren Makenna Nelson, Autumn Nelson, Reese Edson, Ryan Edson; two step-great-grandchildren Quinn Irion, Finlay Irion; one brother Vearl (Mary) Edson of Fredericksburg; three sisters-in-law Marge Edson Hoffman of New Hampton, Donna Kernik of Minn., Shirley Beam of Minn.; many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Carole in 2011; one brother, Verne Edson; five brothers-in-law, Robert (Mary Ann) Muench, Delbert Muench, Stan (Dorris) Feutchwanger, Frank Kernik, Howard Beam.