27 Jul Ed Geiger

Edward Francis (Ed) Geiger, 85, died peacefully in his sleep at home July 26, 2021.

Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be at Bismarck Funeral Home Sunday, Aug 1, 2021, beginning at 6:00 PM with a Rosary/Vigil at 7:00 PM.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM Aug 2, 2021, at Corpus Christi Church 1919 N 2^nd St Bismarck, ND.

Burial will be at the ND Veteran’s Cemetery at 3:00 PM.

Ed was born in Ft. Yates, ND on May 23, 1936, to George and Christine (Schweitzer) Geiger, he was the third of seven children. He attended 1^st and 2^nd grade in Ft. Yates prior to his family moving to Menoken, ND where they lived and worked on the Clem Casey Ranch. In 1946, they moved to McKenzie where Ed’s farming career began beside his parents and siblings. Ed finished his grade school education at McKenzie School and went on to graduate from Saint Mary’s Central High School where he became a SAINT FOR LIFE. He joined the US Army in October 1957. He served in Germany from November 1958 to April 1960 and was Honorably Discharged from the Army in July 1960. Ed then met Angeline Reis, and they were married on July 12, 1961. Ed and Angie farmed with his parents and continued to farm after the death of his father in 1966, until 1991. During these years Ed and Angie welcomed 6 children. After 30 years of farming, Ed went on to work several different jobs including more farming, building construction, gravel crushing, truck driving, etc. and all whom he worked for knew they had someone they could count on to get the job done right.

Ed was a humble, patient man. Faith and family were the two most important things to him, and he strove to ensure we knew that. He was dubbed ‘the baby whisperer’ for his love of all babies, but especially his grandchildren who he would lovingly tuck into the crook of his arm and effortlessly get them to doze off to sleep. He was always willing to lend a hand. No matter what kind of project one of us cooked up, he was there, tools in hand, and a wealth of good common sense to make it all happen. On one occasion he took over a day’s work at his son’s job so he could go and spend the day at the lake with his buddies. All this and he expected nothing in return. In the end, he even felt guilty because he was unable to work and “earn his salt”. He enjoyed fishing and hunting but rarely took the time to do either, because there was “business to tend to”. Growing the world’s food with toxic chemicals made absolutely no sense to Ed, so in 1975, he was the first in the area to try organic farming. He was the laughingstock of the community to many, but he didn’t care. He took pride in sending a quality product to market.  In most recent years, Ed enjoyed a daily walk and was an avid reader; often having the books he received as gifts read in two days.

Ed was a staunch supporter of the Saint Mary’s Saints and a member of their Booster Club, a long-time member of the Knights of Columbus, a VFW Life Member, a long-time member of the National Farmers Organization and served on many boards and councils in the community. He was also a Patriot. He thought it should be noted in his story that the Berlin Wall was erected by the Russians shortly after he left Germany and it was torn down 29 years later while one of his sons was serving in the Air Force stationed in Berlin.

Happy and Blessed to have shared his life are Angie, his wife of 60 years; their children Edward II (Kristin), Ashland, MO, Joseph (Stephanie), Mandan, Patrick (Hillary), Bismarck, Michael (Lori), Bismarck, Maureen Patton, Medford, OR and Jane (Corey) Schlinger, Bismarck; grandchildren Madison (Marshall), Jenna (Matthew), Christina (Chris), James, Lucas, Olivia, Elizabeth, Samuel, Julia, Max, Kelsey (Sterling), Savannah, Baileigh, Liam, Noah, Eden, Isaiah, and Sophia; great grandchildren, Maci, Deegan, Grayson, Carter, Michael, and Christopher; sisters, Sally, Helen, Fran, Jane; sister-in-law, Alvera (Tony) Leier; brothers-in-law, Al Leier and Victor Wald and many nieces and nephews. A special shout out goes to his nephew Kurt who spent several summers with us and regarded his Uncle Ed as his second Dad.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James; sister, Pat; great-grandson, Thomas; sister-in-law, Marge; brothers-in-law, Barney, Tom, Al, John and many great sisters and brothers-in-law and spouses from Angie’s family.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Ed’s name to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Saint Mary’s High School, Saint Mary’s Academy or a charity of your choice.

To view the Mass of Christian Burial service, please click here.

To view the Vigil Service, please click here.

COMMENTS:

Ed was a St.Mary’s classmate and friend. Ed’s older brother Jim was also a classmate and friend, who was recruited by the priests and coaches to play football. Then Ed was needed more than ever on the farm. Ed did his duty. Therefore, Ed did not socialize at practice and hanging out after school much. But Ed was solid with everybody everywhere. Once in religion class I inadvertently slammed my desk back into Ed’s and rather than deferring to me as a Saints footballer Ed came at me like a young griz suddenly awakened from his first hibernation. I recognized Ed’s character and fortitude. We bonded – forever. Decades later when my wife Ute and I visited Ed and Angie in their home, Ed treated me with his down-home respect and gave me homemade Elderberry wine, like Sister Anne used to do in history class. I told Ed I sadly lost my 1958 graduation thesis on the Standing Rock Reservation and Ed, with his natural insight, just said, “You can write it again. It’s all in your feelings and your head”. Ed, Angie, Ute and I drove down to the Rez to see good friends. I remember last time with Ed and Angie in 2016 at Joyce Kuhn Bement’s and Bev Werner Tonander’s impromptu 54′ class gathering where Ed, in his cowboy boots, sang “On Top of Old Smokey” and “Down by the Riverside with “Big Al” Emineth, Denny Doppler, Clarence Schmidt – RIP, Rosie and all. Ed Geiger was happy, unpretentious, and optimistic, like always, uplifting for everybody. Pat Goggins