Edwin R. Harmon, 88

Published 7:01 am Thursday, April 9, 2020

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Edwin “Ed”’ R. Harmon, 88, of Austin, Minnesota, passed away Friday, April 3, 2020, at Comforcare Good Samaritan Society in Austin.

Ed was born Dec. 23, 1931, in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, to Harvey and Edna (Paulson) Harmon. He graduated from high school in Alma Center, Wisconsin, in 1949. After school, Ed continued to live and work on the family dairy farm in Humbird, Wisconsin. Ed married Linda Pettis on July 23, 1955, at the Methodist Church in Augusta, Wisconsin. Later that year, Ed was drafted into the U.S. Navy, in which he served for two years. Following his time in the service, Ed and Linda followed family to Austin, where he worked for the Wagner Construction Company for over

Edwin R. Harmon, 88

30 years. Later he worked for ESI, building Shopko and K-Mart stores in the area. He retired in 2000.

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Ed was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Austin Moose Lodge, where he served for a number of years as governor and administrator. He was the head of the Labor Union in Austin for many years. He liked to hunt deer or turkey when he had time, but he really enjoyed woodworking and spending time in his garden. When his kids were little, he liked coaching 4-H softball. In his later years, Ed enjoyed watching the Twins and the Vikings.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Edna Harmon; brother, Maurice Harmon, and grandson, Evan Champlin. Ed is survived by his wife, Linda Harmon, Austin; daughter, Cindy Champlin (Mike Emery), Fort Meyers, Florida; son, Bill (Marlene) Harmon, Lyle, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Anson Eklund, Waseca, Minnesota, Shawn Harmon, Lyle, Erin (Justin) O’ Brien, Silver Bay, Minnesota, Stephanie (Dustin) Gaul, Lansing, Minnesota, and Alex Champlin, Albert Lea, Minnesota; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Barbara Talac, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin; and nieces and nephews.

Due to the coronavirus, there will not be a service at this time. There will be a memorial service at a later date, which will be announced by Clasen-Jordan Mortuary.