Edwin Sawyer

Edwin Richard Sawyer, age 87, Pine River, MN, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 15, 2015, at the St. Cloud VA. He was born January 18, 1928, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Howard and Hulda (Rossberg) Sawyer. Because of the depression his parents moved to Blackduck, MN, to Hackensack, MN, to Blind Lake Township, MN, to Center Point, IA back to Blind Lake Township. In 1945 he graduated from Backus High School. He attended 8 schools and said he didn't want to move so his kids didn't have to go through this.

Edwin was in the Army during the Korean War, and received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He farmed in Blind Lake Township with his dad and switched from dairy to raising beef, by starting Blind Lake Cattle Company, which is now being run by the fourth generation. He worked in the sugar beet harvest, wild rice plant, logging, at the feed store and Durkees. Edwin was on the Blind Lake town board as clerk for 8 years and the Backus school board. He served on the Cass County fair board for many years and trustee of the Longville Community Church. He married Gloria Holmberg on June 14, 1953 and they had 4 children.

He was preceded in death by parents, Howard and Hulda Sawyer; sisters, Lorene Hildebran and Doris Larson; brothers-in-law: Raymond Hildebran, Melvin Larson, Virgil Frame; grandsons, Grant Sawyer and Christian Sawyer; and great grandson, Tritt Sawyer.

Edwin is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gloria Sawyer; children: Nancy Foix (Jim), Richard Sawyer (Roxanne), Sandra Linn (Marion, Jr.), Steven Sawyer (Kimberly); sister, Alice Frame; 14 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials are preferred to the Longville Community Church.

Services will be held at 11 AM on Monday, August 24, at Longville Community Church, Longville. Visitation will be on Sunday from 5 to 7 PM at Kline Funeral Home, Pine River, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Lunch will be served at the church prior to burial at Wabedo Cemetery, Blind Lake Township.