Edward Marlow Wiederstein,75, of Audubon, Iowa, was lovingly greeted into the arms of our Lord and Savior on July 29, 2023, on the Century Farm upon which he lived for most of his life. The son of Edward John Wiederstein and Ramona Madeline (Lansman) Wiederstein, Edward was born in Carroll, Iowa, on April 28, 1948. Eddie, as he was known as a youth, attended Audubon Community High School, graduating in 1966. During that time he had a love for sports and participating in FFA. Following high school, he attended and graduated from Iowa State University in 1970. While at Iowa State, Ed was a proud member of the Farmhouse Fraternity, which led to many lasting friendships throughout the remainder of his life.
In 1972, Edward married the love of his life, Nickoleen Rasmussen, who was also from Audubon. They immediately set out to do missionary work in inner-city Portland, Oregon, and then lived in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, until Nicki graduated from nursing school. The farm awaited them on their return, but so was their future family. Anne Marie (b. 1974) and Ryan Marlow (b. 1975) paved the way for David Louis (b. 1978) and Betsy Johannah (b. 1979). Ed fostered the love of sports, animals, and work in his children. Ed, with Nicki in tow, never missed an event or activity that his children participated in.
The leadership principles that Ed learned as a youth in FFA were valuable and carried over into his support and advocacy for the agriculture industry. Ed actively served in leadership positions in the Audubon County Farm Bureau, Iowa Farm Bureau, the American Farm Bureau, the Iowa and American Angus Associations, the Iowa FFA Foundation, and numerous other ag-related organizations. Ed served as president of the Iowa Farm Bureau from 1996 to 2001. More locally, and later in his life, he helped with the Audubon Historical Society and the preservation of Nathaniel Hamlin Park, located South of the town of Audubon. The friendships and associations gained during this time and before were more than just professional, but they were personal to him and lasted to his dying day.
After retiring from farming in 2018, Ed and Nicki assumed new positions as full-time grandparents of eight, which was Ed’s favorite role. Many miles were tracked by them to and from Atlantic, Des Moines, or Ohio, and many miles tracked to the farm by their grandchildren, all to be together with Grandma and Grandpa.
Ed possessed the spirit of giving more of himself to others, and he did so with unforgettable smiles and laughter and wisdom. This was rooted in his deep faith and love of the Lord. Ed was an avowed Christian and dedicated himself to service to his Church, the First United Methodist Church of Audubon.
Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Ramona, and father-in-law, Ron Rasmussen. He is survived by his wife, Nicki; daughter Anne Schinbeckler, and her spouse Jared, and their three children, Landen, Joslyn, and Alyssa; son Ryan, and his spouse Reyna, and their child, Charlie; son David, and his spouse, Andrea, and their four children, Claire, Lila, Dane, and Marlow; daughter, Betsy Reelitz, and spouse, Tom, and Rae (Ed’s favorite granddog); brother, Arlen; mother-in-law, Kathy Rasmussen; and many beloved cousins.
The family will greet friends Tuesday evening, August 1. 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon, Iowa. Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Carla Evers on Wednesday morning, August 2, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Audubon. Interment will be in the Arlington Heights Cemetery in Audubon. The casket bearers will be Palle Lansman, Phil Madsen, David Tessman, Michael Bauer, Randy Dreher, and Kenny White. Memorials may be designated to the Iowa FFA Foundation or the Nathaniel Hamlin Park in honor of Ed’s name.
The Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon is handling the arrangements for the Wiederstein Family.
