Edward Coad Gilman

Edward Coad Gilman, age 87 of Lake Crystal, died Sunday, March 27, 2016 at Crystal Seasons in Lake Crystal.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday at Salem Lutheran Church, 109 3rd St. SE, Madelia with Rev. Greg Volbrecht. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the 2:00 p.m. service at the church Thursday. Private burial will be held in Garden City Cemetery. The family prefers memorials to Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice, Mankato or the donor’s choice.

Edward Coad Gilman was born at home on February 5, 1929 in Garden City Township to Coad and Josephine (Johnson) Gilman. He graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1947. Edward was involved in farming at home and with other neighbors. He joined the National Guard in 1949 and was drafted in the US Army in March of 1951 at the time of the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in March of 1953 and again was involved with farming. Edward also began working in construction with M.G. Maxey and this became very important to him as in a few years later he started his own construction business and also continuing to farm. Edward was united in marriage to Phyllis Mae Weber on January 23, 1955 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in North Mankato. Edward and Phyllis were blessed with four children, Gail, Gary, Wayne, and David They continued to live in Lake Crystal. In March of 1957 they purchased their first 80 acres and moved to that location, where he was proud of the fact that he built all the farmstead buildings and including their home. Edward continued farming along with the construction business. Ed and Phyllis remained on the farm until moving to Crystal Seasons in May 2014. Edward was a longtime active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lake Crystal and Salem Lutheran Church, Madelia. He served two terms on the Lake Crystal School Board. He was an avid bowler and attended Peterson Classic in Chicago. In 1992 he semi-retired from construction as his son Gary took over the business and Ed continued to farm. The businesses continue today as Gary’s son Patrick Gilman took over the construction business and David his youngest son took over the farm.

Edward is survived by his wife of 61 years, Phyllis; children, Gail (Scott) Gilman-Waldner of New Ulm; Wayne (Jennifer) Gilman of Pine City, MN, David (Amanda) Gilman of Lake Crystal; daughter-in-law, Margy (Ted) Johnson of Mankato. Ed was blessed with 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, Dr. Amy (Dr. Ronnie Zeidan) Waldner; Patrick (Heather) Gilman and their children, Garrett, Levi, Taylin, Gabriel; Megan (Sebastian) Mihailide and their children, Moriah, Kinsley; Dominic (Shelley) Gilman and their children, Makala, Nevaeh, Lainey and baby girl due in May; Jared (Brittany) Gilman and their children, River and Edwin; Madeline Gilman, Emma Gilman; Ben, Clara, Ean and Falicia Gilman; Jasmine Johnson. Brother, Melvin (Dora) Gilman, Lake Crystal; sisters, Charlene Blakesley of Amboy, Frances (Paul) Heers of Austin, MN, Violet (Robert) Kern of Mankato, Alice (Dick) VanBrunt of Mapleton; sister-in-law, Ruth Tiller of Boone, IA; many nieces, nephews and extended family.

Preceded in death by his parents; son Gary Gilman and grandson Jason Waldner.

Edward’s family wishes to thank Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice, Mankato and the caring staff of Crystal Seasons.