Edward Besel

MISSOULA – Edward Besel passed away Friday, April 5, 2013, in Missoula, after a short illness. He was five months shy of his 100th birthday and maintained his sharpness of mind and self-effacing sense of humor until the end. He lived independently until seven weeks before his death.

Ed was born on Aug. 10, 1913, and was raised in Waterville, Wash., the son of German immigrants, Fred and Dora Besel. He was the eighth of nine children. He graduated from Waterville High School and, in 1936, married the love of his life, Ellen Marie Webber Besel, also from Waterville. They stayed in Waterville until his retirement from wheat farming in 1978, and then relocated to Arizona, Spokane and Missoula, respectively. Ed was a lifelong Lutheran and helped build parts of the altar at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Withrow, Wash.

Ellen preceded Ed in his death in 2011. He was also preceded in death by his sisters and brothers, Frederick, Ted, Sim, Katie (Buse), Amanda (Reichenberg), Ann (Hyer), Freda (Dye), and Lydia (Melsness). Surviving Ed are his children, Gordon, Pamela (Bill) Goodrich, and Dian (Don) Colasurdo; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Ed created beautiful and intricate wooden replicas of farm equipment, all done from memory, all detailed and accurate. He was an excellent farmer. He embodied intelligence, hard work, attention to detail, responsibility, finishing a task well, generosity, thoughtfulness and the importance of good sense of humor.

The family celebrated his life with a small service at his last residence, the Lighthouse Assisted Living in Missoula. Even though this is a hard time for his family, we are delighted that he is in heaven with Ellen.

Contributions in memory of his life may be made in his name to Partners in Home Care (Hospice), 2687 Palmer St., Suite B., Missoula, MT 59808; or to the Lighthouse Assisted Living, 3214 Washburn St., Missoula, MT 59801.

Garden City Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Read Edward Besel's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.