Rev. Edward Lee Nieman Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Rev. Edward Lee Nieman Edward was born July 30, 1943, the son of August and Mildred Nieman. He passed away on July 4, 2022. He was 78 years old. Ed grew up on a farm in Earlville, Iowa with five siblings. Besides learning trades on the farm, his family was faithfully devoted to serving their church and community. Edward was baptized, confirmed and ordained at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Earlville, Iowa. As a child he dreamed of being a carpenter or a pastor. To fulfill his goals he graduated from Maquoketa Valley Community School at age 16, attended Wartburg College where he majored in Greek, and then went to Wartburg Seminary where he received his Master's of Divinity. He did his internship at Bethany Lutheran, Portland, Oregon. Before receiving his first call, he decided to volunteer at Holden Village in Chalen, WA the summer of 1967. While there he met his wife, Gayle, on a hiking trip to Hart Lake. Ed and Gayle married on July 7, 1968. They were married for 54 years. Ed enjoyed being a father of two daughters, Jenifer and Rhea. He liked attending their band and choir concerts, musicals, and plays, as well as helping them with 4-H projects. Later he enjoyed marrying them to his son-in-laws, Kyle and Raul. He was overjoyed when grandchildren were born, who are: Noah, Grace, Jonah, and Trinity. He was always happy to attend their sporting and music events. Over the years he took pride in remodeling his daughters' homes as well as his own. Ed served at five different parishes over his 41 years of ministry. The churches included: Valley Grove Lutheran and Norway Lutheran of Kloten, ND; West Prairie Lutheran, Binford, ND; Calvary Lutheran, Perham, MN; Shell Lake Lutheran, Osage, MN; Bethany Lutheran, Cromwell, MN; Bethlehem Lutheran, Wright, MN; South Immanuel, Rothsay, MN; Hedemarken, Carlisle, MN; Hamar Lutheran, Rothsay, MN; Bricelyn Lutheran, North Blue Earth and South Blue Earth, Bricelyn, MN; United Lutheran and Bethany Lutheran, Frost, MN. Ed walked the talk with his biggest passion of building or remodeling homes for Habitat for Humanity, which included the Minnesota counties of Ottertail, Faribault, Martin, Anoka and Hennepin. In addition he wanted to feed the hungry and was involved with CROP Walk, World Hunger, Bread for the World, Family Promise and local food shelves. Plus he encouraged the congregations and community that he served to support refugees from Vietnam and Bosnia. When he retired as a pastor, he decided to build churches through Mission Builders, and became active with his church men's group, F.R.O.G.S. - Faith Retired Old Guys, at Faith Lutheran, Coon Rapids, MN. He also volunteered at Global Health Ministries, and served on the boards for Bikes 4 Kids and Kiwanis, Coon Rapids, MN. Plus, within his church of Faith Lutheran, he adopted the Nyakade Tot family and Korpo Nyema family . To them and others he was known as "Grandpa Ed" and their "Mr. Fix It." Ed passed away from Leukemia, July 4, 2022. Ed is survived by his wife, Gayle Nieman; daughters: Jenifer (Kyle) Johnson and Rhea (Raul) Garcia; grandchildren: Noah Johnson, Jonah Johnson, Grace Garcia and Trinity Garcia; Siblings: Ilomae (Duane) Meling, Donna Joslin, David (Yoli) Nieman, Richard (Christy) Nieman, and Duane (Karen) Nieman; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. Ed leaves a legacy of using his hands and feet of Christ. Visitation August 11, 5:00p.m.-7:00p.m. with Prayer Service at 6:15p.m. - Washburn-McReavy Funeral Home, 1827 Coon Rapids Blvd., Coon Rapids, MN; Celebration of Life Service August 12, 11:00a.m. with Visitation at 10:00a.m., Faith Lutheran Church, 11115 Hanson Blvd. NW, Coon Rapids, MN. Celebration of Life online service: https://youtu.be/qJtjFBHTqqY. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be designated to Habitat for Humanity, Bikes 4 Kids, or The Harbor Food Shelf (Faith Lutheran Church).

Tributes

Rev. Edward Lee Nieman

July 30, 1943 - July 4, 2022

Tributes

Rev. Edward Lee Nieman

July 30, 1943 - July 4, 2022

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