Edwin Elmer Birkholz passed away on November 10, 2018 surrounded by family that loved him dearly. Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 2:30 pm at the Garrison Church of God. Visitation will be held on Friday from 5 to 7 pm at Thompson Funeral Home in Garrison. Burial will be at the Garrison City Cemetery.

Eddie was born in Garrison, ND on August 16, 1926 to Christ and Rosella Birkholz. He was the second of 4 children. He grew up the son of hardworking parents. After he completed the 8th grade, like his older brother David, he stayed home to help out and work in his Dad's blacksmith shop. His work ethic was to be envied. He lived through the dirty thirties and the Great Depression; it made a lifelong impression on him. He was a magician at repurposing and fixing things that had lost their value to others.

He met the love of his life, Adeline Jane Meyer from Washburn ND, & they were married at her parent's home in Washburn by the Justice of the Peace on July 16, 1948. They made their home in Garrison. Ed supported his family working those early years for Dave Robinson at his ranch on the Missouri River. He worked later on the Garrison Dam project as a carpenter and then for McGray and Benschoff Implement as a parts man. In 1962 he started his employment at the Garrison Memorial Hospital as a maintenance man. He finally retired in 1986 spending the next 32 years hunting, fishing, and working on many projects. He was a very talented man and could build or fix most anything. Many of the homes in his neighborhood have a wind vane he built of one kind or another on the house or garage.

His last months were spent in Alaska with his son Terry and family absorbing all the love and affection he could stand. He was especially fond of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. The hugs and kisses for "gramps" were unending.

He passed into eternity without fear, anxious to see his beloved "Toots" again.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Ancora Hospice Care of Alaska.

He is survived by his two sons, Carl (friend, Rose), Terry (Kim), grandchildren, Chris (Crystal), Jennifer (Terry) Atz, Jeff (Goa), Jonathan (Jennifer), Brock (Stephanie) and Jordon, great grandchildren, Austin, Maddie & Shelby Atz; Dax, Adele & Brynn Birkholz, brother and sister-in-law, Melvin (Pat) Birkholz, sister-in-law, Shirley Birkholz, and several nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Adeline, his parents, brother David & sister Lorraine Lucas & her husband Roy.