Edmund Edward Gaida was born on November 15, 1915 in Holdingford, MN to parents Nicholas and Minnie (Jourg) Gaida. Edmund was the younger of 2 children. His childhood years were spent in Holdingford. Edmund attended 3 years at Cathedral High School in St. Cloud, MN, with later graduating.
Most of Edmund’s career was spent as a Chief Loan Guarantee Officer with Ft. Snelling Veterans Administration. He married Helen Sakry on June 22, 1940 in Duelm, MN and celebrated 72 years of marriage. They were blessed with 4 children, Michael, Mary Jo, Barb, and John; 16 Grandchildren and 14 Great Grandchildren.
Edmund served in the United States Army from January 23, 1944 to February 14, 1946, during WWII, with being stationed at an Army Hospital in Ellesmere, U.K. He was a member of the Savage American Legion.
He enjoyed woodcarving, carpentry and was an avid reader and an artist. Edmund and Helen were world travelers; traveling overseas 22 times.
A resident of Prior Lake, Edmund, age 96, passed away at St. Gertrude’s Health Care Center Shakopee, MN on the evening of January 25, 2012.
Forever loved, Edmund will be deeply missed by his wife of 72 years, Helen; children, Michael (Mary) Gaida of St. Paul, Mary Jo (Kim) Stevens of Savage, Barb Gaida of Shoreview, John (Sheryl) Gaida of Victoria; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, and other relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Angie (Ray) Koenig.
Edmund’s pall bearers Nick Fleischhacker, Nathan Fleischhacker, Dan Gaida, Steve Gaida, Pat Gaida, Brian Lox, Natalie Fleischhacker and Emily Fleischhacker.
Visitation will be on Sunday, January 29, from 4-7 p.m. at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake and 1 hour prior to the mass at church. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, January 30, at 11 a.m., at the Church of St. Michael, 16311 Duluth Ave. SE, Prior Lake, MN. The Prior Lake V.F.W. Post 6208 Honor Guard will be present. Father Tom Sieg will officiate. Edmund will be laid to rest at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN, with full military honors provided by the Fort Snelling National Cemetery Rifle Squad.
