Edward Wokasch

Ed Wokasch, 82, Fargo, ND, passed away at Essentia Health on July 27th, after a brief illness.

Edward Peter Wokasch was born January 19, 1942, in Frazee, MN to Edward Sr. and Mary (Ulschmid) Wokasch. He grew up with brothers James, Charles and Lawrence on their rural Evergreen farm. Graduating from Frazee High School in 1960, he was a three-sport athlete, lettering in football, basketball and track. Following graduation, he attended the University of Minnesota and Moorhead State University. In 1962, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving on the USS Galveston as a hospital corpsman. His tour of duty during the Viet Nam War took him to California, Alaska, Tokyo, Hong Kong and the Philippines. After his honorable discharge, he completed his schooling at North Dakota State University as a Pharmacy Technician.

Ed was united in marriage to Diane Woodard on February 1, 1969. They have three daughters, Colleen, Stacey and Jessica. They made their home in Frazee where he worked for Star Drug for many years. He then worked for the Fargo Veterans Administration for 22 years, retiring in 2008.

Dad's greatest gift was passing on his love of the outdoors. During his younger years he enjoyed many road trips with his brothers and lifelong friend, Bill Cole, picking mushrooms and spending time in "the woods". He was a proud member of the Big Buck Deer Camp with regular trips to Itasca State Park to hunt, cross country ski and hike his favorite trails. If you were spending time with him, you were undoubtedly going on a drive somewhere. There were many weekends on Leech Lake in search of a muskie. He loved airplanes and following the local sports teams, especially the U. S. Navy Blue Angels and the NDSU Bison. He wasn't afraid of a long road trip, having traveled by car to Texas, Arizona, Iowa and Washington State numerous times.

He was an easy-going private person, but he always made an effort to connect with you on a shared interest. He was a constant presence in the stands to support any of us for sporting events, music concerts and school programs. He was always willing to travel, even to Montana on a recent family trip, riding a horse up the mountain with the rest of us. He never came empty handed, always bringing an ice cream cake, rolls, cookies or snacks for the kids. He was even known to hand out "gas money" to his grand kids, just because.

Ed is survived by his daughters: Colleen (John) Hoscheid, Park Rapids, Stacey (Aaron) Henstorf, Duluth, Jessica (Josh) Miosek, Moorhead, Grandchildren: Reid Reierson, Cole (Megan) & Quinn Hoscheid, Shannon (Maggie) & Carson Henstorf, Keeton & Alivia Miosek, great grandsons: Kieran, Korey & Renley Henstorf. Brother: Lawrence Wokasch.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Peter (infant), James and sister-in-law Marie and Charles

A graveside service for Ed will be held Monday, August 12 at 1:30 pm at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Frazee. A reception at Furey Funeral Home will follow the graveside service.