Edward Valentine Lahr

Edward Valentine Lahr entered into eternal rest at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center on February 22, 2011, after 97 full years of life. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm Friday, February 25, at First Presbyterian Church, 214 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, with Rev. Jake Kincaid officiating. Cremation has taken place and burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck. A gathering with family will be held from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Thursday, February 24, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. Ed was born August 23, 1913, in Ellsworth, MN, to Edward and Grace Whaylen Lahr. In 1915, his family moved to Bismarck. He was raised and educated in Bismarck, graduating from Bismarck High School. He attended the University of North Dakota for one year and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1934. He returned to Bismarck in 1937 and worked in the family business. He later bought Lahr & Lahr Insurance and founded Lahr & Lahr Real Estate. Ed's 40-year career in the insurance business also earned him statewide recognition. He met Lillian Weber through his good friend, John Hjelle. After a short courtship they were married August 11, 1939. They had two children, Gary Edward and Kathleen Ann. Lillian and Ed enjoyed 51 wonderful years together in Bismarck, later wintering in Mesa, AZ, and enjoying summers at Leech Lake in Minnesota. Lillian passed away on March 11, 1991. Ed volunteered at the Heritage Center where he met Erna Martel Cartwright. They were married on November 18, 1994. In their short 16 years together, Ed and Erna traveled extensively including trips to Alaska, Nova Scotia, and Jamaica, where they just had to go parasailing at the young age of 87. In 1997, he earned the Volunteer of the Week Award from the Heritage Center. Of course, he was the perfect Heritage Center volunteer, always promoting Bismarck and his state of North Dakota. Ed was active in community affairs serving as president of the Kiwanis, Bismarck Jaycees, and Chamber of Commerce. He was a lifetime member of Bismarck Elks Lodge #1199, Masonic Bodies, Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite, Shrine and Potentate of El Zagel Temple. He was a charter member of Apple Creek Country Club. Ed served on the Bismarck Hospital Board as president for 20 years and was an active board member of Medcenter One Health Systems for over 45 years. In 2004, Ed was awarded the distinguished Medcenter One Robert H. Lundberg Award. He was the mayor of the city of Bismarck for eight years and served as Treasurer in the Republican Party Headquarters. In regard to politics, "I voted republican all my life, except once when I voted for Franklin Roosevelt…had a real long talk with my Dad, and ever since I have voted Republican." He also served on the board of trustees and sessions as an active member of the Presbyterian Church. Throughout his life, Ed treasured his family and the reunions with his nieces and nephews. The Bismarck community, his friends and family, will miss him greatly! Mostly he will be remembered for his dry sense of humor, his wise counsel, and his leadership. Edward Valentine Lahr is survived by his wife, Erna, Bismarck; his son, Gary Patricia Lahr, Bismarck, ND; his daughter, Kathleen William Ellig, Portland, OR; his grandchildren, Richard Bonnie Lahr, Bismarck, ND, Heather Derek Sondergaard, Highland Ranch, CO, Cindy Luke Kanies, Portland, OR; his great-grandchildren, Peyton Lahr, Hailey Lahr, Tyler Sondergaard, Lillian Kanies and Vivian Kanies. Ed felt fortunate to have a second family and so enjoyed all of their family gatherings, he also leaves behind, Erna's children, Betty Lou Dachtler, Jennifer Lon Romsaas, David Jan Martel, and Rebecca Martel Alan Cooper and Erna's grandchildren, Dennette Wayne Stotz, Gwen Jones, Erna Flint, Kirk Carol Romsaas, Jodi Loucks and Erna's great-grandchildren, Christopher Amble, Brooklyn Zenker, Elizabeth Guenther; Reed Romsaas and great-great grandson, Wyatt Steele. He was preceded in death by his first wife Lillian; his parents; sister, Marlys May McGettigan; brother-in-law, Ray McGettigan and nephew, Mike McGettigan. The family prefers memorials be given to the Medcenter One College of Nursing Lillian Weber Lahr Scholarship at the Medcenter One Foundation and the North Dakota State Historical Society.

Edward Valentine Lahr

August 23, 1913 - February 22, 2011