Obit: Reich, Edwin W. (1923 – 2007)
Poster: Crystal Wendt
Email: Post4LincolnCoWi@aol.com

Surnames: Reich, Schiess, Kohler, Stavarn, Dietrich, Melendy, Hunter

---Source: Daily Journal (Fergus Falls, Mn.) 27 Jun 2007

---Reich, Edwin W. (29 Aug. 1923 – 23 June 2007)

Edwin W. Reich, 83 of St. Cloud, died Saturday, June 23, 2007, at St. Cloud Hospital.

He was born Aug. 29, 1923, in Irma, Wis., to Walter A. and Margaret (Schiess) Reich. He attended rural school in Rice Lake, Wis., before joining the Civilian Conservation Corps in Ellsworth, Wis., in January 1941.

He served in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theatre of Operations during World War II. In 1946 and 1947, he was involved in the Byrd Expedition to Antarctica.

He attended National Trade School in Kansas City, Mo., from 1947 to 1948, to learn the plumbing trade.

On Dec. 12, 1948, he married Deloris Kohler in Fergus Falls. The couple made their home in Fergus Falls and Edwin worked there as a plumber until 1961, when they moved to St. Cloud, where Edwin continued working as a plumber until his retirement in 1988.

Following his retirement, Edwin spent more than 10 years as a volunteer constructing homes with Habitat For Humanity. Edwin is a past member of Granite City Toastmasters and an organizer of Daylighter Toastmasters Club, where he also served as president and area governor. Edwin was a member of Sunrise Kiwanis and served as secretary, president, and division lt. governor.

He is a life member of St. Cloud VFW Post 428, and American Legion Post 76, a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Pipefitters Union Local 539, and Peace United Church of Christ in St. Cloud.

Edwin has been recognized on many occasions for his work as a volunteer. He is the recipient of the Don Murray award from District 6 Toastmasters, the Gear Award from Kiwanis, the Service to Mankind Award from Sertoma, the J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award, the High Five Award from the city of St. Cloud, certificate of commendation from former Minnesota Gov. Rudy Perpich, the Community Service Award from the MN AFL-CIO, the Virginia McKnight Bingers Award, and the Salvation Army ‘Others’ award.

Survivors include his wife, Deloris, of St. Cloud; daughters, Becky Reich of Lake City, and Darcy Reich of Grand Rapids; brothers, Elmer (Lee) Reich of Carlsbad, Calif., and Ernest Reich of Rapid City, S.D.; brother-in-law, George Stavran of Rice Lake, Wis.; sisters-in-law, Fran Reich of Cameron, Wis., and Susie Reich of Granby, Mo.; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Robert, Fritz, and Herman; and four sisters, Katherine Stavran, Betty Dietrich, Marcelene Melendy and Marie Hunter.

Memorials are preferred to either Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army or Peace United Church of Christ.

Visitation: Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m., with a prayer service 5 p.m., followed by American Legion prayers at 6 p.m., at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 11 a.m. Thursday, at Peace United Church of Christ, St. Cloud

Burial: Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Little Falls

Funeral Home: Benson Funeral Home, St. Cloud.