Eddie was born January 19, 1928 on the family farm in Winneshiek County, Iowa to Paul Sr. and Myrtle (Roche) Whalen. He graduated from the Canton High School in 1946. He served in the United States Navy from November 1948 to 1952. He had worked for a short time as a tinsmith in Rochester. Eddie was married to Leona Frana in 1950. Four children were born to this union. They later divorced. He farmed on the family farm until 1995 when he began operating the Villager Drive-In in Canton, where he enjoyed cooking and visiting with the customers, until retiring in 2012.
Eddie was a member of the American Legion in Harmony and the Winneshiek County NFO. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, dancing, and especially spending time with his family.
Eddie passed away Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at his home in Canton at the age of 90.
Eddie is survived by special friend Sandy Frank of Canton; children Danny of Canton, Kevin (Della) of Decorah, Randy (Elaine St. Mary) of Lime Springs and Brenda (Allen C.) Holthaus of Cresco; step-daughter Elaine (Jeff) Geottel; grandchildren Adam Whalen, Richard Hollenbeck, Rusty Whalen, Erika Whalen, Cassidy Whalen, Mikel Hansen, Rachel Vsetecka, Sarah Halweg, Devin Holthaus, Carter, Olivia, and Wyatt St. Mary, Patrick, Aislinn, Gabriel, and Eireann Geottel; 16 great grandchildren; a brother LaVerne (Neldah) Whalen of Rochester; sister-in-law Shirley Whalen of Rochester; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter-in-law Joan Whalen, grandson Mark Whalen; great grandson Bryson Holthaus; and brothers and sisters Harold, Quintin, Paul, Delone, Joe, Larry, Louis, and Lucy Whalen.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. July 27, 2018 at St. Agnes Plymouth Rock Catholic Church with Fr. Donald J. Hawes officiating. Burial will be in the St. Agnes Cemetery with military rites by the Harmony American Legion. Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Thursday, July 26, 2018 at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel and one hour prior to services at the church. |
