Edward Otto Reusse

Edward Reusse age 72 of Fulda, MN died Saturday, January 1, 2011 at the Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, January 5, 2011 at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda. Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 PM Tuesday, January 4, 2011 also at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. A private family interment will take place on Thursday at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Cemetery. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy, MN is handling the arrangements. Edward “Eddie” O. Reusse was born May 18, 1938 to Edward “Fritz” and Caroline “Lena” (Schroeder) Reusse on the family farm in Bondin Township, near Fulda, MN. He was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic faith and attended St. Gabriel’s Catholic School, graduating from Fulda High School in 1956. While in high school, Eddie excelled in track, and still holds the Fulda High school record for the 100 yard dash, set in his senior year. He also took part in all sports activities and many other extracurricular activities. After high school he attended the College of St. Thomas and eventually graduated from Mankato State College with a BA in Economics & Business. During his college years, Eddie joined the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class and was united in marriage to Janice Fay Dalin of rural Fulda. Upon graduation, Eddie was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the USMC, where he proudly served for 22 years achieving the rank of Lt. Colonel. Eddie was known as a “Marine’s Marine”. He enjoyed the years in the Marine Corps and also hunting anything that was legal and edible, from bear in Alaska, to shooting geese off the deck of the house in his socks and shorts. In November of 1982, Eddie retired from the Marine Corps and in 1985 he returned to the Fulda area to help care for his parents in their later years. In 1991, Eddie and Vicki Simmons were united in marriage. Eddie was active in the Fulda Game & Fish Club, American Legion, VFW, Bondin Township Board, St. Gabriel’s Cemetery Board, St. Gabriel’s Minister of Hospitality, Meals on Wheels, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited, Fulda Cannoneers, NRA and was a certified pistol instructor. Eddie was musically talented both in singing and instrumentally. He played six different instruments by ear and was asked by many groups to entertain their residents playing old time music which he did with gusto. Eddie also enjoyed carrying on the tradition set by his father of selling monuments for Empire Memorials for over 20 years. Recently, Eddie became a patient of Avera-McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD where, after a two month battle with his COPD condition, he died at the age of 72. Eddie is survived by his wife, Vicki Reusse of Fulda, MN; one son, Jeffrey (Heather) Reusse of Newburyport, MA; three daughters, Mikelene (Randy) Simmons of Glenville, GA, Dixie Reusse-Schrock of Marietta, GA, and Jannell Reusse of Acworth, GA; two step-daughters, Kelli (Terry) Kirchner of Muscatine, IA, and Wendi (Adam) Kremer of Fulda, MN; seven grandchildren, Caroline, Erica, Kurt, Eric, Logan, Hayden, and Ellie; one sister, MaryAnn (Bud) Montaleone of Yorba Linda, CA; nieces, nephews and many friends. His parents, “Fritz and Lena” preceded him in death.