Lt. Col. Edward P. Zeidler
Lt. Col. Edward P. Zeidler, USAF, Retired, of Grand Rapids, MN, died Tuesday, November 9, 2010 in Grand Rapids. He was born in Eveleth, MN, the son of Walter and Hattie (Ford) Zeidler. Col. Zeidler piloted B-24 Bombers while serving with the 14th Air Force in China flying 46 combat missions and six “Hump” missions receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with cluster and the Asiatic-Pacific ribbon with six battle stars. He served with the Strategic Air Command in various assignments in Kansas, Newfoundland, Greenland and California earning the Air Force Commendation medal; and established the first Arctic Survival School on the Greenland Ice Cap. Col Zeidler retired from active duty after 28 years of service to his country.
Col. Zeidler graduated with a degree in Industrial Education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth. In his retirement, he taught in the Eveleth high school and substitute taught in the Hibbing, Grand Rapids and Coleraine School Districts.
Col. Zeidler was a life member of the National Rifle Association, the NRA Whittington Center, the Founders Club and Trail Blazers of the NRA Whittington Center, the Itasca Gun Club, the Military Officers Association and the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.
Col. Zeidler is survived by his wife: Cleo; one son: Edward G. (Shelley) of Mt. Iron, MN; two grandsons: Jeff of Wichita, KS and Clayton (Emily) of Mt. Iron, MN; and two great-granddaughters: Jillian and Vienna. The Colonel will be sadly missed by family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Walter A. and Hattie M. Zeidler of Hibbing, MN.
Visitation will be held Monday, November 15, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral service in the Anderson-Daniels Funeral Home Chapel in Hibbing. Pastor Nathan Sager will officiate. Interment will be in the Maple Hill cemetery in Hibbing. The Grand Forks AFB Honor Guard will accord military Honors.
Memorials are preferred to the NRA Whittington Center.
Family services provided by Anderson-Daniels, a Bauman Family Funeral Home, in Hibbing. To share remembrances of Col. Zeidler on-line please see www.baumanfuneralhome.com.
