November 19, 1939 – Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Service Information
Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo, MN
Sunday, January 17, 2016
2:00 P.M.
Visitation Information
Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo, MN
Saturday, January 16, 2016
5-8 P.M.
Pastor Edward A. Blair died on January 12, 2016, from complications of pancreatic cancer surgery. He was born to Frans and Glennice Swanson Blair on November 19, 1939, in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. After three years in Rapid City, South Dakota, in 1950 the family moved to Worthington, Minnesota. Ed was confirmed at First Lutheran Church in 1955. He graduated from Worthington High School in 1958 and Worthington Junior College in 1960. Following graduation from Gustavus Adolphus College in 1962, Ed continued on the path to ordination with four years at Northwestern Lutheran Seminary in Minneapolis.
On June 13, 1965, he married Karyl Krantz. He served for 4 years as the associate pastor at Zion Lutheran in Anoka, Minnesota. In 1970, they moved with their baby son Nathan to Buffalo, Minnesota, when Ed was called to serve at Zion Lutheran Church. Daughter Carmen was born four years later. Ed continued as a pastor at Zion Buffalo until his retirement in 2001.
After retirement, Ed and Karyl moved to Payson, Arizona. Ed served on the town council from 2006-2014. They also got very involved in Mount Cross Lutheran Church, where he served as a visitation pastor. An avid golfer, he enjoyed time spent on the links with friends.
He is remembered for his outgoing personality, his love of jokes, and his desire to help people connect with each other. He was often on email, keeping in touch with “my people. Ed loved spending time with his family, especially playing with his grandchildren. He eagerly planned all the details of a family trip to Disneyland to celebrate Ed and Karyl’s 50th wedding anniversary in 2015.
Ed is survived by his wife of 50 years, Karyl; son Nathan (Laura) Blair; daughter Carmen Blair; grandchildren Henry, Simon, and Elin Blair; brother Dr. John (Grace) Blair; brother-in-law John (Marci) Krantz, plus nephews, nieces and many cousins.
The funeral services will be held at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo, Minnesota on January 17 at 2 p.m. Pastor Ted Vanderpan and Pastor Luke Schmidt will officiate. Interment will follow at Zion Lutheran Cemetery. Diane Johnson will be the organist for the funeral service and special music by The Zion Lutheran Choir. Casket Bearers will be Bill Bemboom, Bob Friederichsen, Terry Marsh, Len Bengston, Pastor Jim Parks and Pastor Dick Hane. A memorial service will be held at Mount Cross Lutheran Church on February 7 at 1 p.m. Donations in Ed’s memory may be made to the Zion Foundation, ELCA World Hunger Appeal, or charity of donor’s choice.
The Blair Family; Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. We always enjoyed the “Three Point” Sermons. Del Haag
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Glen and Kaye Zebarth
Carol and family;My deepest sympathy on your loss. My fondest memory of Pastor Ed is our wedding rehearsal night, we were all smiles and we all got it right the next day! He was a great Man!
Dear, dear man. When I moved to Worthington in 1957, Ed was one of the first people to befriend me, and what a friend he became! All of the wonderful things people have said about him are true, but no one mentioned his eyes. He had the kindest, most intense gaze; he could look very deep into a person. I shall miss him terribly.
Blessings to the Blair family at this time of loss. Ed was a light and joy to the world. His infectious laughter will be missed. God Bless Ed and his return to God.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. I’m sure his great big smile is warming heaven. I loved that he always started his sermon with a joke and remembered everyone by name (I still don’t know how he could do that). He confirmed me and performed our wedding ceremony and was one of the first people to visit me at the birth of my children. He was a great man of God!