Edward Belka

Edward R. Belka, 83, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 16, 2007 at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Fergus Falls, MN under the care of Lakeland Hospice and in the presence of his loving wife of 61 years, Marguerite. Edward Raymond Belka was born on April 6, 1924 to Joseph and Hattie (Palubicki) Belka at their farm home near Perham, MN. He attended Perham public schools, including a one-room schoolhouse adjacent to their farm that was erected on land donated by his grandfather, Leopold Belka. After high school he worked briefly in Minneapolis, then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the Philippines during WWII. Ed returned to Minnesota to marry his high school sweetheart, Marguerite Abel, on January 10, 1946. He worked and attended Business College while they lived in Detroit Lakes, and was later called up as a member of the National Guard to serve during the Korean War. Ed and Marguerite have lived in Fergus Falls since 1954, where Ed was the manager of Edgetown Lumber Company (Lampert Lumber) for 26 years. He then worked for Anderson Brothers Construction, and helped form and name All Building Corporation. He retired as president of All Building Corporation in 1986. Ed enjoyed his work, fellowship at Hope Lutheran Church (of which he was a founding member), Kiwanis, fishing, whist club, poker, the Marching and Chowder Club, animals of all sorts, visiting, and dessert. Ed loved and was dearly loved by his family and friends, and had a special way with children. Despite living with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, he retained his sense of humor, great smile, and sunny disposition. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.       Preceding him in death were his parents, and sisters Florence Zeller and Irene Bodigheimer. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Marguerite, MN Veterans Home, Fergus Falls; two sons, Thomas of Morris, and Lee (Laurie) of Eden Prairie; daughter Katherine (Steve) Shark of Fargo, ND; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Susie Ruether of Perham, and Magdalene (Warren) Wasescha of Woodbury, and brother Joseph of Pelican Rapids. A memorial service will be held at Hope Lutheran Church, 1309 Stoneybrook Road, in Fergus Falls at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, November 20. Olson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com