Edward Albert Uhlis, 81, of Faribault, formerly of Austin, died Friday morning, Nov. 13, 2009, at Pleasant Manor in Faribault, Minn. 

He was born April 3, 1928 in Faribault, the son of Edward and Victoria (Wheeler) Uhlis. He received his education in Albert Lea and in 1959, along with Stan and Rick Christiansen, he traveled to Greenland where they helped build the Thule Air Force Base. He fished in Alaska for king salmon for three years. Ed moved to Austin, where he was self-employed as a contractor and cabinet maker. He enjoyed fishing and woodworking, especially framing and matting pictures and was very crafty in his work. He married Lucille “Mitzi” Goeritz on May 24, 1975 in Austin. Ed moved to Pleasant Manor in Faribault in 2005 after suffering a stroke. Mitzi died on July 23, 2007. 

Ed is survived by his daughter, Patricia Westrum of St. Louis Park, Minn.; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert Uhlis of St. Louis, Mo.; and many other relatives and friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mitzi; and son-in-law, Bob Westrum.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 at the Worlein Funeral Home Chapel in Austin with the Rev. Glenn Monson and the Rev. Glennys Knutson officiating. Interment will be at the Woodville Cemetery in Waseca, Minn. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday at the Worlein Funeral Home. Honorary casketbearers will be Debbie and Neil Marty, Jeanette and Randy Bohland, Lisa and Bob Schmidt.

Condolences may expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.