Edwin Brist

Edwin M. Brist, age 86, of Fergus Falls died Friday afternoon January 16, 2009, at the Broen Memorial Home. Ed was born on February 16, 1922, in Madison, Wisconsin to Claude and Ida (Moore) Brist. He grew up on the family farm and had numerous jobs before enlisting and serving during WW II in the Air Force. On January 6, 1943 he married Opal Mickelberg in Big Spring, Texas. Following his return from military duties he and his wife, along with his brother Sid, bought a Cafe in Minneapolis. After they sold that business the couple moved to Fergus Falls were Ed delivered soft drinks for Fergus Bottling. During that time he earned the nickname ‘The Squirt Man’. While he did that, he also was studying TV repair through course work at the DeVries Technical Institute in Chicago. Later he opened up his own shop; ‘Ed Brist TV-Sylvania Sales and Service’ which he operated until his retirement in 1990. He was a long time member of Grace United Methodist Church in Fergus Falls and a Life Member of the VFW. Throughout the years he had enjoyed participating in Church activities, ball games, hunting, fishing, gardening, raising indoor flowers and woodworking, making cupboards, cabinets and other projects. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and a sister. Survivors include his wife, Opal, daughters, Marie Powis of Horton, Kansas and Opal Grunewald of West Fargo, ND, sons, Edwin Brist, Jr. of Fergus Falls and Roger Brist of Tyler, Texas, eleven grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Others who survive him include numerous nieces and nephews, two brothers, five sisters and several in-laws. Visitation:   One hour prior to service at the Church Services:     2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Grace United Methodist Church in Fergus Falls Clergy:        Reverend Robert Kandels Burial:         Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls Funeral Home:   Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls