Herald Journal Publishing

Publisher of Herald Journal, Dassel-Cokato Enterprise Dispatch, Delano Herald Journal, McLeod County Chronicle, Arlington Enterprise, & West Carver News

Edward Stolka Obituary – 10/9/2021


Edward Stolka, age 89, of Waverly, MN, passed away Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.

He was born the eighth of nine children Jan. 8, 1932, in Mahnomen, MN, to Frank and Marie (Drsek) Stolka.

He was baptized Jan. 17, 1932, received first communion July 1, 1939, and was confirmed June 18, 1945 at St Michael’s Catholic Church in Mahnomen, MN.

Ed attended school in Mahnomen, and served his country in the US Army for two years during the Korean War, from July 1952 to April 1954.

Ed was a machine operator at Hub Manufacturing in Minneapolis, and later worked at Midwest Expanded Metal in Waconia, MN.

He was united in marriage to Gloria Specht Aug. 11, 1956, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church.

He later married Gladys Glessing Feb. 5, 1983, in their home.

Ed enjoyed woodworking: making whirly gigs, wishing wells, windmills, and birdhouses. He could repair most anything.

He also enjoyed camping, loved playing with his grandchildren and gardening: marigolds and geraniums. Ed spent a week in June each summer fishing in Spooner, WI and would use his spare time to mow his, his neighbor, David’s, and his friend, Janet’s, lawns.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Gladys; siblings, Frank (Betty) Stolka, Verna (Leonard) Berg, Rose (Jim) Rys, Charles Stolka, Anna (Fred) Schmidt, James (Berniece) Stolka, Marie/Mary (“Hap”) Clausen, Helen (Charlie) Reitz; and grandson, Troy Sherrer of McGrath, AK.

He is survived by a special friend, Janet Midtling of Cokato, MN; best buddy, Willy Haavisto of Cokato, MN; children, Doug Stolka (Andy Reynolds) of Delano, MN, Annette Bendtsen (Chris Skelton) of Milaca, MN, Frank (Lori) Stolka of Delano, MN; step children, Gail Sherrer of Portland, OR (Doug Sherrer of Fairbanks, AK), Denise Glessing Dyreson (Bernie Dyreson) of Delano, MN, Dennis (Vicky) Glessing of Howard Lake, MN; grandchildren, Brent Stolka, Tracy Friedman, Joseph Bendtsen (Kayla Boerma), Crystal (Chris) Bailey, Matthew Bendtsen, Heather Coleman, Kevin Stolka (Emlie Vigil), Shane (Andrea) Dyreson, Kevin Brigham (Kayla O’Donnell), Hilary (Nate) Schlosser, Cassie Brigham, Jared (Cassey) Glessing, Corrisa (Kirk) Haugan, Jessica Glessing, Melissa (Steve) Clark; great-grandchildren, Annabelle Bendtsen, Brendon Silva, Benson Stolka, Powers Bailey, Bentley Krueger; and many other relatives and friends.

A funeral mass took place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021 at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Waverly, MN with Father Kenneth O’Hotto officiating.

Visitation was from 9 to 10:45 a.m. at the church Saturday.

Interment followed lunch at Howard Lake Cemetery.

Pallbearers were grandsons, Brent Stolka, Joseph Bendtsen, Kevin Stolka, and Jared Glessing, and nephews, Raymond Schmidt and Phillip Schmidt.

Arrangements are by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Howard Lake, MN, www.swansonpeterson.com, 320-543-3401.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.