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Edward Floyd Leitner

FUNERAL HOME

Surprise Funeral Care

16063 W. Bell Rd

Surprise, Arizona

Edward Leitner Obituary

Leitner, Edward Floyd
63, of Bergen, Norway passed away on April 28, 2011. Ed was a faculty member at Pierce College in Puyallup, WA, teaching for many years in the Psychology and Early Childhood Education programs. He loved being a faculty union member and leader. He is survived by his wife, Pilla Leitner, children, Neal and Deanna Leitner, mother, Esther Leitner and sister, Lynne Kincaid. We will celebrate his life on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. at the Surprise Funeral Care Chapel, 16063 W. Bell Rd., Surprise, AZ 85374. Inurnment will take place later at Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery in Phoenix. To view Mr. Leitner's online memorial and submit a guest book entry, please visit both www.mem.com and edward.leitner.muchloved.com. Ed was a lifelong supporter of Planned Parenthood, and he asked that people donate to them in lieu of flowers. If that is a problem for anyone, please donate to any animal support group.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Arizona Republic on May 4, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Edward Leitner

17 Entries

Maqry Reay

June 19, 2011

I am deeply saddened by the loss of my good friend and colleague. That he would consider me a friend was very important to me. I will remember his honesty, trustworthiness, smile, and sense of good humor. I am fortunate, indeed, to have known him and Pilla.

Leonard Escudero

May 14, 2011

Ed, I barely knew you, but I heard and saw your legacy. Greater testimony can no one wish for. I truly beiieve that we will all have the opportunity to meet once again, and at that time I would surely enjoy getting to know you better.

Until then!

Leon Khalsa-Maulen

May 4, 2011

Last Christmas I was in Bergen visiting Ed and Pilla. Pilla was at work and Ed was saying what a loving and meaningful Thanksgiving it had been in November, with visits from Deanna and Neal. He was SO very happy as he showed me an enlargement of the picture shown on the home page of this memorial. He even gave me a copy of it to bring back home and I knew all his love and pride and happiness was right there beaming out at all of us.

Denise Murphy

May 4, 2011

I remember your wedding on a glorious day in Papago Park - the red rocks, the palo verde trees, and the bliss on both of your faces. The promise of that day was fulfilled in your long and happy marriage, one of the best I have ever seen.

Karen Bishop

May 4, 2011

I have spent the last hour reading and looking at the pictures on Pilla's blog. Although I have not spent much time with Ed since college days, I remember well his smile and great personality. It seems that they have been living life to the fullest; for this I am thankful.

Suzanne Pitner

May 4, 2011

One thing I'll always remember about Ed is the way he could make Pilla giggle and laugh like a schoolgirl. His nonpareil gift of light and love that he brought to my sister's life led them to enjoy many years of happiness, years that ended too soon. Great men such as Ed come along rarely, and the graceful manner in which he shared his life gave his family and friends a legacy that will not be forgotten. He'll be greatly missed.

Lori and Bob Northrop

May 4, 2011

The time we spent together on your trips to visit Dad and Mom meant so much to us both. We thank you for sharing your travel adventures and photos of God's beautiful creations! Ed was a wonderful person to know! It is such a loss when a person once so full of life & love leaves.. but what a touching heartfelt memory..it cleaves! Lori & Bob

Natalia and Vadim Isakovy

May 4, 2011

We met Ed in 2008. Before that, Vadim did not speak a word of English, so Ed became his first English teacher. That was quite challenging, because Ed did not speak any Russian or Norwegian. They've found a way to communicate by gestures and drawings. His classes were always so exiting, interesting and fun. Vadim and Ed went to some different places. For example the museum, Grieghallen. When Ed told us he had cancer, we were very upset. Nevertheless, Ed always had plans to continue the classes, which Vadim eagerly awaited. We will always keep the warm memories of how nice and caring Ed was. We will keep it safe in our hearts.

Dee Ackley

May 4, 2011

I appreciated Ed as a "Stay at home Dad" when in Calif & early in Washington. He was a great family man from the start of the Marriage to the end. Dee Ackley

Arild Olsen

May 4, 2011

We had the luck of knowing Ed as a coming "Bergenser"
His laughter, his way of connecting with everybody, his sense of human relationships, was something very few people are gifted with.
The last time we visited Ed and Pillla, he was so very like him self, that we forgot that he was ill.
The braveness, and the way of spreading hope to everybody, is something only great men, like Ed, could do.
We will remember you, and keep you in our hearts forever.
Arild and Natalia

Joanna Bernacka

May 4, 2011

Every human birth is the beginning of the world, but none death is its end.
Every dark night has always a clear ending.
Ed can go on forever, to always be close.
Ed lives and will live as long as he lives in our hearts.

We always remember Ed as very open, full of humor and friendly person. He was ready to help and support with everything at any time. I could not imagine the important celebration without Ed and Pilla. They are part of our family here in Norway...... Joanna, Kris and Dominika

Carla Ackley

May 4, 2011

I love that he was a collector (of cards and coins). Very admirable hobby and business. We will miss you.

Svetlana Berg

May 4, 2011

I am still in shock from this enormous pain of loss. I feel like it was just yesterday – all our parties in Bergen, long & interesting conversations with Ed over dinner or coffee, jokes & stories, New 2009 Eve & New 2010 Eve celebrations until dawn… It’s always a pleasure to speak with Ed, sometimes get his good advice. He was so genuine person, very good friend and a great, kind person. It is so unfair and incredibly sad to say “was” about Ed. Dear Pilla, Deanna and Neil, me and my family are with you in our thoughts and we sharing your pain and sorrow here in Norway.With love, from Svetlana and parents.

Deborah Johnson

May 4, 2011

I remember when Pilla and Ed announced their engagement. I was 16. They were at our home in Glendale. Ed was sitting in the dining room and Pilla was in the living room. I looked at Ed and he was gazing at Pilla with such love in his eyes...I don't think that changed over 39 years.

Cindy Craig

May 4, 2011

Dear brother of Lynne, I know you had to be an awesome person if you were anything like your sister. I pray I will see you in heaven. God is so good. You will be missed.

Ken Jones

May 4, 2011

I am quite at a loss to know what to say. I am saddened beyond words, but I am grateful he is not in pain. The following summarizes my relationship with Ed, and I offer it to him now.
"Everyone has at least one friend, (if they're lucky) who ranks a little higher on the "friend scale than anyone else. That is the friend with whom you can be completely honest about what you're thinking or feeling without worrying for a moment that you're going to be judged. That is the friend who has seen you at your best and your worst and loves you all the same. That is the friend who, if you've been mistreated, gets almost angrier than you do and demands justice. That is the wonderful, indisposable friend who is ally, confidant, and kindred spirit. In short...that is you.

Lou Weismann

May 4, 2011

Ed was a true friend; one who was always there with a smile and a helpful hand. I learned much from him and am a better person for having known him. Perhaps my feelings are best summed up by a quote from Seneca, who said: "The comfort of having a friend may be taken away, but not that of having had one." Ed was such a friend and I shall miss him terribly.

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