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BORN
1943
DIED
2025
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Michael Edwards Obituary
Webster, SD - Michael "Mike" Edwards, 81, of Webster, passed away Monday, July 14, 2025, at his home near Webster.
Memorial services will be 2:00pm Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Fiksdal Funeral Service. Inurnment will take place at Ft. Snelling Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial visitation will be 5-7pm Friday, July 25, 2025 at the funeral home.
Michael "Mike" Edwards was born on September 18, 1943, in Faribault, MN, to Russell and Elizabeth (Maag) Edwards. He passed away at his home with his family close by, on July 14, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Mike's early years were spent in St. Peter, MN, where he attended John Ireland Catholic School through eighth grade and graduated from St. Peter High School in 1961. In high school, he was a proud member of the audio-visual club and track team, setting long-standing school records in the 440-yard dash.
After graduation, Mike enlisted in the United States Navy and being stationed at Norfolk Naval Base. He served on the Naval Drill Team and Honor Guard.
Following his military service, Mike moved to rural Le Center in Minnesota and pursued an associate's degree in law enforcement. He served as a deputy sheriff for Le Sueur County before beginning a long and respected federal career in the Twin Cities, which spanned over 30 years.
His federal service included roles such as security officer at Fort Snelling, investigator for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Civilian Police Chief at the Minnesota National Guard Headquarters, and finally, at level GS-13 with the Department of Defense and Homeland Security. He supported numerous high-profile security details, including visits from U.S. Presidents, Vice Presidents, and international dignitaries such as Mikhail Gorbachev. He also trained and collaborated with the FBI and CIA.
On June 26, 1994, Mike married Ranae Kurtz at Murphy's Landing in Shakopee, MN. Together, Mike and Ranae shared 31 adventurous years, living first in the Twin Cities, then Dalton, MN, and ultimately on their beloved hunting land near Roslyn/Webster, SD. They shared a love of the outdoors and traveled widely-hunting turkeys, pheasants, deer, ducks, geese, wild boars in Texas, and African game on safari.
Mike previously raised hunting dogs-Brittany (Spaniel's), Chesapeake's, and German Wirehaired Pointer's. He taught firearm safety and concealed-and-carry classes, coached trap shooting and sporting clays, and served as Head Coach of the Underwood, MN Trap Team. He mentored youth through 4-H Shooting Sports and youth hunting programs.
In retirement, Mike and Ranae spent winters in Kerrville, Texas, enjoying RV park life, live music, dancing, and the camaraderie of new friends. Mike was a self-described stubborn, spirited, A-type firstborn-always ready to teach, debate, socialize, and share a story. His heart melted when he received pictures, especially of sports, hunting or fishing, from his grandsons Nikolaus "Nik", Bryce, Reed and Brayden. Besides his love of hunting and shooting sports, Mike was an avid fisherman, birder, and MN Vikings, MN Twins and MN Timberwolves fan.
A dedicated conservationist, Mike served as a District Chairman for Ducks Unlimited for over 20 years and was a member of Delta Waterfowl, Pheasants Forever, the National Rifle Association, Quality Deer Management Association, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
As relationships evolved over time, Mike was a father to four children: daughters Medea and Lorraine, shared with Dorene (Smisek) Edwards; son Chris Edwards, shared with Nancy Gerten; and daughter Tracy whom he welcomed through his marriage to Ranae (Kurtz) Edwards. He had four grandsons Nikolaus, Bryce, Reed, and Brayden.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Ranae; his children: Medea (Mike) Myhra and Lorraine Edwards of St. Peter, MN; Chris Edwards (Leslie) of Hastings, MN; and Tracy Kurtz (Phil) of Fargo, ND; his grandsons: Nikolaus Myhra-Edwards of St. Peter, MN; Bryce Edwards (Kaelan) of Westminster, CO; Reed Edwards of Orono, MN; and Brayden Edwards of Woodbury, MN; siblings Tom (LeeAnn) Edwards of Richmond, MN; Mary (Joe) Avila of Fresno, CA; Linda (Joel) Olson of Englewood, CO; and Brian (Maury) Edwards of Manhattan, NY; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors, and dear friends.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents Russell and Elizabeth (Maag) Edwards and a nephew Marty Edwards.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Prairie Lakes Hospice and the many doctors and nurses who provided care and compassion during Mike's illness.
Memorial services will be 2:00pm Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Fiksdal Funeral Service. Inurnment will take place at Ft. Snelling Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial visitation will be 5-7pm Friday, July 25, 2025 at the funeral home.
Michael "Mike" Edwards was born on September 18, 1943, in Faribault, MN, to Russell and Elizabeth (Maag) Edwards. He passed away at his home with his family close by, on July 14, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Mike's early years were spent in St. Peter, MN, where he attended John Ireland Catholic School through eighth grade and graduated from St. Peter High School in 1961. In high school, he was a proud member of the audio-visual club and track team, setting long-standing school records in the 440-yard dash.
After graduation, Mike enlisted in the United States Navy and being stationed at Norfolk Naval Base. He served on the Naval Drill Team and Honor Guard.
Following his military service, Mike moved to rural Le Center in Minnesota and pursued an associate's degree in law enforcement. He served as a deputy sheriff for Le Sueur County before beginning a long and respected federal career in the Twin Cities, which spanned over 30 years.
His federal service included roles such as security officer at Fort Snelling, investigator for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Civilian Police Chief at the Minnesota National Guard Headquarters, and finally, at level GS-13 with the Department of Defense and Homeland Security. He supported numerous high-profile security details, including visits from U.S. Presidents, Vice Presidents, and international dignitaries such as Mikhail Gorbachev. He also trained and collaborated with the FBI and CIA.
On June 26, 1994, Mike married Ranae Kurtz at Murphy's Landing in Shakopee, MN. Together, Mike and Ranae shared 31 adventurous years, living first in the Twin Cities, then Dalton, MN, and ultimately on their beloved hunting land near Roslyn/Webster, SD. They shared a love of the outdoors and traveled widely-hunting turkeys, pheasants, deer, ducks, geese, wild boars in Texas, and African game on safari.
Mike previously raised hunting dogs-Brittany (Spaniel's), Chesapeake's, and German Wirehaired Pointer's. He taught firearm safety and concealed-and-carry classes, coached trap shooting and sporting clays, and served as Head Coach of the Underwood, MN Trap Team. He mentored youth through 4-H Shooting Sports and youth hunting programs.
In retirement, Mike and Ranae spent winters in Kerrville, Texas, enjoying RV park life, live music, dancing, and the camaraderie of new friends. Mike was a self-described stubborn, spirited, A-type firstborn-always ready to teach, debate, socialize, and share a story. His heart melted when he received pictures, especially of sports, hunting or fishing, from his grandsons Nikolaus "Nik", Bryce, Reed and Brayden. Besides his love of hunting and shooting sports, Mike was an avid fisherman, birder, and MN Vikings, MN Twins and MN Timberwolves fan.
A dedicated conservationist, Mike served as a District Chairman for Ducks Unlimited for over 20 years and was a member of Delta Waterfowl, Pheasants Forever, the National Rifle Association, Quality Deer Management Association, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the National Wild Turkey Federation.
As relationships evolved over time, Mike was a father to four children: daughters Medea and Lorraine, shared with Dorene (Smisek) Edwards; son Chris Edwards, shared with Nancy Gerten; and daughter Tracy whom he welcomed through his marriage to Ranae (Kurtz) Edwards. He had four grandsons Nikolaus, Bryce, Reed, and Brayden.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Ranae; his children: Medea (Mike) Myhra and Lorraine Edwards of St. Peter, MN; Chris Edwards (Leslie) of Hastings, MN; and Tracy Kurtz (Phil) of Fargo, ND; his grandsons: Nikolaus Myhra-Edwards of St. Peter, MN; Bryce Edwards (Kaelan) of Westminster, CO; Reed Edwards of Orono, MN; and Brayden Edwards of Woodbury, MN; siblings Tom (LeeAnn) Edwards of Richmond, MN; Mary (Joe) Avila of Fresno, CA; Linda (Joel) Olson of Englewood, CO; and Brian (Maury) Edwards of Manhattan, NY; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors, and dear friends.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents Russell and Elizabeth (Maag) Edwards and a nephew Marty Edwards.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Prairie Lakes Hospice and the many doctors and nurses who provided care and compassion during Mike's illness.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by St. Peter Herald from Jul. 16 to Jul. 30, 2025.
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