Edward W. Oswald

Edward W. Oswald age 82 of Hibbing passed away Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Guardian Angels Health and Rehab Center in Hibbing, where he was recovering from a fall in the yard while doing what he loved to do, cutting firewood. He was born March 6, 1942 in Kitzville, MN to Edward John and Francis Oswald. Ed was a 1961 graduate of Hibbing High School. Shortly after graduation he went out to California to attend Tech School for auto mechanics through General Motors, while he was there, he helped his Uncle Jim, working for his moving company he was offered a job as a carpet layer. Also, while he was in California he met his soon-to-be wife, Gail Zimmerman whom he later married on December 30, 1964. Ed worked as a flooring installer until he retired at age 70. When he finally retired, he had carpeted 75% of the Iron Range.  He worked with many different businesses including Goldfines, Siegel’s, Schneiderman’s and Floor to Ceiling just to name a few. In his earlier years he installed flooring on Navy ships and would even go up to remote cabins in Canada getting to the destination by plane then boat, hauling the materials with him. Ed missed the draft during Vietnam because he had sustained injuries to his leg in a motorcycle accident and reported to the recruiter’s office on crutches. Through his travels related to work Ed was able to see and meet many interesting people, including Walt Disney in Anaheim, CA, Wolfman Jack at a radio studio while he was installing carpet and Roy Clark while he was attending the Armstrong School for Vinyl flooring in Pennsylvania. Ed always enjoyed deer hunting more so for the comradery than the actual hunt. As Ed got older he switched from Harley’s to Honda Gold wings. Ed and Gail were members of the Goldwing Road Riders Association, he enjoyed being outdoors working and tinkering. Ed was always willing to lend a helping hand with a smile and a story. He made friends with everyone he met. Ed is survived by his wife, Gail Oswald, Hibbing, MN, children, Lisa Skaggs, Chisholm, MN, Keith Oswald, Hibbing, MN, Heather (Will) Stoddard, St. Paul, MN, grandchildren, Persephone (Keith) Bullock, Desirae (August) Duarte, Megan (Jared) Brynjolf, Parker (Rowan Snyder) Cook, Chloe Oswald, great-grandchildren, Camille Bullock, Hunter Bullock, Roszi Johnson, brother in law, Vince Russ and four nephews, Karl, Ed, Johnathon and Jeremy Russ. Ed was preceded in death by his parents Edward John and Francis, sister, Jeanette Russ, aunt, Gert and uncle, Jim. Funeral services will be held 12 noon Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Dougherty Funeral Home in Hibbing. Visitation will be held from 11 am until the beginning of the service at noon. Interment will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Hibbing.