Edward Davis Souder

June 21, 1948 - July 19, 2024

Funeral Service

• Date: July 27, 2024
• Time: 2:30 p.m.
• Location: United Church of Christ - Osage, Iowa

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Burial

• Date: July 27, 2024
• Time: 1:00 p.m.
• Location: Oakwood Cemetery - Floyd, Iowa

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Celebration of Life

• Date: July 27, 2024
• Time: 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Location: Osage American Legion Post 278

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Edward D. Souder, of rural Osage, died Friday, July 19, 2024, at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City. Memorial services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at the United Church of Christ in Osage, Iowa with Pastor Dixie Laube officiating. Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. in Oakwood Cemetery in Floyd, Iowa with military rites by the Osage American Legion Post 278. A celebration of life will follow from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27, 2024, at the Osage American Legion Post 278 in Osage, Iowa. Edward (Ed) Davis Souder of Osage, Iowa was born in Mason City on June 21, 1948, and died in Mason City on July 19, 2024. Between those dates, he did a lot of living. Ed was the second born child of Marjorie and Ralph Souder of Floyd County. Ed and his brother, Charles (Chuck) spent their childhood on the Souder farm helping raise cattle and grow corn and soybeans. Ed was a member of the FFA and showed cattle at 4-H fairs in Floyd County. In high school, Ed played drums and football and wrestled, excelling at everything he attempted. He was very proud of his 4th place finish as a heavyweight at the Iowa High School wrestling championships in Des Moines his senior year. Ed graduated from Osage High School in 1966 and attended Iowa State University to study architecture. He walked on the Cyclones wrestling team as a freshman. Ed then joined the U.S. Army and served the country at both Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) in North Carolina and in Augsburg, Germany where he held rank as a Spec 5 Sargent. Ed worked in military intelligence services, was a sharpshooter, and earned the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He also earned the nickname “Dirty Ed” for playing hard during Army football games and always having the filthiest uniform on the field. Ed was married to Ann Morse of Osage from 1978-1988, and they had two children, Sarah and Mary. He shared his love of drawing, music, history, and architecture in their time together and encouraged his children to travel whenever possible. His talent for pencil drawings of such things as the Cedar River Otter, old Osage Water Tower and the Witch Tree in Cook Co, MN have been admired and cherished by many. Following his years of service, Ed began to work for the Wallace Company in Osage. He held many roles in the company and eventually received a promotion as a design engineer which moved him to the Chicago area. Amongst other accomplishments throughout his career, Ed received a U.S. Patent for the invention of an electronic article surveillance material that is widely used around the world for theft prevention. Ed returned to Osage upon his retirement and lended a helping hand to farmers around the area in the years following. He served as the Commander of the American Legion for several years. Known for his wit and sense of humor, Ed was a talented athlete, artist, and writer. Ed was also an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, hunting, canoeing, and camping, and he particularly looked forward to trips up north with friends. He loved to take road trips and visited every corner of the country in addition to spending a few winters near Tombstone, Arizona. And he was a diehard (and long suffering) Cyclones and Minnesota Vikings fan. Ed is survived by his children, Mary Souder of Minneapolis and Sarah Souder Johnson of St. Paul; grandchildren, Soren and Halvor Johnson; brother, Charles and sister-in-law, Dianne Souder of Rudd; nieces and nephews; and many dear friends. Any contributions in memory of Ed can be made to the American Legion Post 278 in Osage. Champion Funeral Home of Osage is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.schroederfuneralhomes.com.