HILEY, Edward W. 1926-2016

HILEY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 11/1/2016 at 10:57:02

Edward "Ed" Hiley

Birth: September 4, 1926
Death: October 28, 2016

Service: A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 12, 2016 at the Rudd Gym, 501 Floyd St., Rudd, Iowa from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.

Edward "Ed" W. Hiley, 90, of Rudd, Iowa, passed away peacefully October 28, 2016 at Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City surrounded by his loved ones.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 12, 2016, at the Rudd Gym, 501 Floyd St., Rudd, Iowa from 1:00 - 3:00 pm. Memorials can be directed to the Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City or to the charity of your choice.

Born September 4, 1926, in Marion Alabama, Ed referred to himself as "Southerned by the Grace of God." At the age of 12 he moved to Jackson, Minnesota, where he graduated from Jackson High School. During his high school years he proudly attained the level of Eagle Scout.

After attending Rochester Junior College, Ed briefly taught horticulture at St. Olaf College. Ed served in the US Air Force based in Enid, Oklahoma during the Korean War. Ed owned and operated several greenhouses in Northfield and Jackson, Minnesota, and in Estherville. Iowa.

As a landscape consultant he designed and directed projects on multiple golf courses across northwest Iowa, and several private specialty gardens. In the 1960's Ed co-founded Naturals in Jackson, Minnesota, where they developed a patented unique process for preserving flowers and butterflies in vacuum glass containers.

Ed had a strong commitment to community service and served many years on the Jackson County Hospital Board. He also served as office administrator for the Sisters of Mercy Order in Jackson. On behalf of the Sisters of Mercy he traveled to Italy where he was thrilled to attend a private audience with Pope John Paul. In retirement he managed the Hy-Vee Garden Center in Mason City, Iowa and in Fairmont, Minnesota.

As a life-long avid golfer, Ed completed his dream trip of golfing in Ireland in 1996 at the age of 70.

Ed and Evie wintered in Gulf Shores, Alabama for over 20 years where they enjoyed reconnecting with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; by nine siblings; his wife Evie; son Rob; and granddaughter Lindsey Wegner.

Ed will be deeply missed by his daughters: Nancy (Mike) Kelsey, Kathleen (Ron) Raasch, Terry Hiley, Paula (Bill) Bulfer, and Mary Leann Swanson; grandchildren: John (Stacy) Raasch, Anne (Mike) Haley, Brandie (Chad) Larson, Bryce Renning, Dustin (Jody) Benes, Shawn (Kim) Swanson Jr., Deborah Swanson; and great-grandchildren: Jacob and Katie Raasch, Abigail and Matthew Haley, Braeden and Brooke Johnson, Dylan and Caleb Benes, Liam, Kaylie, Lux, and Dallas Swanson.

Ed was a very generous and talented man and one of his last wishes was to challenge each of us to generously pay it forward with an act of kindness.

SOURCE: Hauser Funeral Home website