Edgar Lee Koens

Memorial services will begin at 3:00 PM Monday, August 7, 2006 at the Minnehaha Funeral Home Chapel in Garretson. Visitation with the family present will be from 6 to 8 PM Sunday at the funeral home.

Edgar Lee Koens was born September 19 1952 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to parents Ben and Helen (Elston) Koens. He married Patty Ford and this union was blessed with three children. Ed will be remembered for many things; his nickname “Barney Fife”, his years of service in law enforcement, his position as Deputy Chief of Security at EROS Data Center, and duties as Park Ranger for the city of Garretson. He enjoyed the friendly faces of those who came to see him while camping at Splitrock Park or visiting Devil’s Gulch and they appreciated his kind, generous demeanor and the clean restrooms. Ed is ultimately famous for his huge, loving heart and courageous, strong mind. We all love you and will miss you, Edgar Lee Koens.

Ed passed away Friday, August 4, 2006 at Avera McKennan Hospital after a courageous battle with colon cancer at the age of 53.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Patty, Garretson; son, Wyatt Koens, Pipestone; daughters, Tanya (Mike) Facile and Jessica Koens, both of Garretson; grandchildren, Jacob and Logan Facile; brother, Ben (Mary) Koens, Milbank; sister, Sara (Marlin) Olson, Dell Rapids; brother-in-law, Jim McKenzie, Sioux Falls; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Helen Koens; step-mother, Evelyn Koens; and sister, Sena McKenzie