Edwin Olever Garness, 94

Published 11:10 am Monday, November 29, 2010

Edwin Olever Garness, 94, of Blooming Prairie, died Saturday morning, Nov. 27, 2010, at Prairie Manor Nursing Home in Blooming Prairie.

Edwin Garness

He was born May 17, 1916, in Blooming Prairie, the son of Christian and Mabel (Bearson) Garness. Edwin attended country school near his home and after completing his education, worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps for two years.

He returned to Blooming Prairie and on Oct. 4, 1940, married Ruth Corrine Nash at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Edwin farmed for several years before starting the Garness Feed Store in Blooming Prairie. He had the first mobile feeder-mixer-grinder in the area and traveled to many area farms. He operated the feed store for many years and later started Sow Enterprises with his partner, Vernon Nielson. After selling Sow Enterprises to his partner, Edwin owned and operated Rock Dell Meats in Rock Dell, which he later sold to his son, Steve Garness. Edwin retired in the early 1980’s.

During their marriage, Ed and Ruth enjoyed spending twenty-nine winters in Mesa, Ariz. Ruth died on March 12, 2002. Edwin was a member of the First Lutheran Church and the Masonic Lodge of Blooming Prairie. He enjoyed playing cards, visiting with his friends and family and was always ready to tell or play a joke on them. In Nov. of 2007, Ed moved into the Prairie Manor Nursing Home.

Ed is survived by son, Steve Garness, Spearfish, S.D.; daughter-in-law, Karen Garness, Austin; son-in-law, James Rysavy, Austin; eight grandchildren: Vince (Jennifer) Garness, Lisa (Darvey) Rietmann, Tim Rysavy, Holly (Jeff) Majerus, Jennifer Rysavy, Aaron (Christine) Garness, Brandee Bishop and Casey Garness; 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Dale Garness, Blooming Prairie; many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ruth Garness; daughter, Carol Rysavy; son, Terry Garness; daughter-in-law, Valerie Garness and three brothers: Carmen, Vernon and Marvin Garness.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010, at First Lutheran Church in Blooming Prairie with Rev. Heidi Heimgartner officiating. Interment will follow the service in the First Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010, at the Worlein-Blooming Prairie Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service at the church.

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