Edward Doerr

Edward Doerr, 94, of Gettysburg, passed away Saturday, February 4, 2012 at the Gettysburg Memorial Hospital.

Mass of Christian Burial were held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 9, 2012 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gettysburg with Fr. Jerry Kopel presiding. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Visitation was held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 8, 2012 with a 8:00 p.m. scripture service at the church.

Edward F. Doerr was born July 3, 1917 at Pierre, SD to Erhart & Mary (Salvatori) Doerr. He started school in 1923 and graduated from Agar High School in 1934 at the age of 16.

Eddie bought his first Model A Ford while still in high school for $125.00. It took him five years to pay for it. He worked on a threshing crew for $2.00 per day, working 10 to 12 hours a day with no overtime. Eddie later worked for Gustovson Construction for $3.20 per day again working 10 hour days, big money! In 1937 he started farming.

 Edward married Daisy Murphy on February 9, 1946. They lived in Gettysburg for the first three years and in 1949 moved to the farm by Agar. They built this farm from scratch, as when they moved not even a fence post existed. In 1950 in order to get a telephone, Eddie had to dig and set the poles by hand, which wasn’t easy as there was a mile and a half of them. He put down the artesian well in 1953, then water was no longer a problem.

Eddie farmed until 1998 and moved to Gettysburg in 2001. He loved weapons, guns, knives and reloading his shells. He also loved driving around, making dandelion wine and staying abreast on both national and state history.

He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the National Rifle Association, and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.

Edward is survived by his children: Virginia Pearson of Mobridge, Jim (Karen) of Gettysburg, Dorthy Shoup of Gettysburg and Madonna (Rich) Perry of Spearfish; grandchildren: Tanya (Jeremy) Huber and DevRee Pearson of Mobridge, D.J. (Christa) Pearson of Box Elder, Brenda Doerr and Christina (Jeremy) Zweber of Brookings, Shawn (Laura) Perry of St. Louis, MO, Scott Perry of Spearfish, Sara Woitte of Madison, WI and Laure Woitte of Sioux Falls; great grandchildren: Jonah Ford, Kennedy Pearson, Synessa Pearson, Arianna Forgey, Dennis Madden Doerr, Kaylene Perry and Landon Woitte; daughter-in-law: Noel Doerr of Brookings and brother, Gerald (Lucy) Doerr of Michigan.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; son Dennis; daughter Carla; sons-in-law: DeVere Pearson and Rick Shoup and siblings: Helen McEntee and Bernard Doerr.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Edward’s arrangements.