Edward Rydstrom

1930 - 2023

Edward Rydstrom

June 5, 1930 - September 30, 2023

Kennewick, Washington - Edward entered into this world in Duluth, Minnesota on June 6, 1930, the Son and youngest child of Nels and Eva Rydstrom. He moved on from this world peacefully on September 30, 2023 with Margret his wife of 69 years by his side.

He was raised in the Duluth Minnesota area with his two sisters, Betty and Dorothy. The family moved to Tacoma in the early 40's to work in the shipyard for the war effort. Edward left school at 14 and went to work for Foss Tug and Barge on the Puget Sound as a deck hand. The Hanford project brought the family here to the Tri Cities in the late 40s where Edward joined the operators union and worked on McNary Dam. In 1951, he was drafted into the Army and served proudly in Korea until his discharge in 1953. He returned to the Operators Union and found work in Montana on Hungry Horse Dam.

It was in Columbia Falls that he met the love of his life Margret Hoerner. They were married October 9th 1954 and moved to a small farm outside Anaconda, Montana. Edward found work on the Anaconda / Butte Railroad line as a conductor. When the railroad line closed in 1959. They moved to Richland where Edward found work on the Hanford project. Eventually, the couple settled in the community of Finley where they raised their four children, Ted, Debbie, Sheila and Steve. Edward entered the trades as an Ironworker, a proud member of Local 14. It was as an Ironworker that Edward was his happiest. Working on many projects in Washington and California until his retirement in 1992.

Upon retirement the couple traveled the country in their RV, spending winters in Yuma, Arizona. Edward enjoyed fishing in Montana in the summer, and hanging out on the coast in the fall. It was a pattern they followed for over 25 years.

Edward was preceded in death by his parents Nels and Eva, his sisters Betty and Dorothy and his daughter Sheila. He is survived by his wife Margret, his children, Ted Rydstrom (Trudy), Debbie Whitney (Terry), and Steve Rydstrom all residing in Kennewick, grandchildren Shonna Rydstrom of Richland, Tara Moll of Vancouver, WA, Travis Whitney of Kennewick, Erica Krupp of Las Vegas, Nv, Raven Condray of Richland and nine great-grandchildren.