Earl James Isaacs

Mankato Mortuary

1001 N. Riverfront Drive

Mankato, MN 56001

507-388-2202

Earl James Isaacs, age 93, of Mankato passed away on Tuesday, July 30, 2019. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, August 3, 2019 at Crossview Covenant Church, Mankato. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., on Friday, August 2, 2019 at Crossview Covenant Church, as well as one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the church. Burial will take place in Minneopa Cemetery. Mankato Mortuary is assisting the family with arrangements.

Earl Isaacs was born September 1, 1925 to Jerry Ward Isaacs and Bessie May (Robertson) Isaacs in Stanley, Wisconsin.  He was the fourth of five children. He graduated from Stanley High School in 1942 and went on to the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire and then got his degree from the University of Minnesota in Music and Math, and later his Masters Degree in music.  He married Shirley Mae Soderberg on June 14, 1948.  Together they had 5 children:  Jim (1949), Colleen (1951), Diana (1953) and Paul and Phil (1956).

At 18 years of age, Earl enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served there as a Navigator until the end of WWII.  Earl taught music/band in Dodge Center, Minnesota, Bloomer, Wisconsin; and finally, in Mankato, Minnesota.  He enjoyed sharing his love of music with his students and friends and most particularly to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He belonged to the Gideons and served in many offices at the local and state level in Minnesota with a zeal for sharing God’s Word.  He was a member of Crossview Covenant Church and served as the choir director and in many board positions over the years.

He was taught to fly by his brother John and flew planes from the age of 16, which became a passion for him.  In 1966 he renewed his pilot’s license and kept it active until age 86.  He and his 3 brothers performed in a band called the Sparklefritzers for several years in Wisconsin and neighboring states.  They played live on radio programs in the area.  At the age of 11, he won at state level for a solo on the clarinet winning over Juniors and Seniors.  He played bassoon for many years in the Mankato Symphony Orchestra.  After Earl retired from teaching, he volunteered to help file taxes for senior citizens and low income families through VINE.  He did this for 31 years. In some years he trained others to do so.  Throughout his life, Earl had a positive impact on family, friends and colleagues.

Earl is survived by his children, Colleen Isaacs, Diana (Ken) Stoll, and Phillip (Rebeccah) Isaacs; daughter-in-law, Rhonda Isaacs; brother, Jerry Isaacs; sister-in-law, Virginia Isaacs; grandchildren, Bria Asleson, Anders (Brooke) Stoll, Alyssa Isaacs, Bethany (Erick) Abramson, Rachel (Robbin) Sass, Stephanie (Chad) Fisher, and Angela Vartanian; granddaughter-in-law, Rebecca Isaacs; great-grandchildren, Sam, Gabe, Cole, Madelyn, Henry, Asher, Julian, Nina, Caitlynn, RJ, and Langley. Earl is preceded in death by his parents, Jerry and Bessie Isaacs; wife, Shirley Isaacs; children, James Isaacs, and Paul Isaacs; grandson, Matthew Isaacs; one sister, and two brothers.

Memorials preferred to Gideons International - www.gideons.org