Edwin Anthony Gass was born June 1, 1930, in Larimore, North Dakota, to Anthony and Maybelle (Sanders) Gass. He was baptized in Larimore and at the age of 7 moved with his family to Grand Forks, North Dakota. In 1944, they moved to St. Paul where Ed graduated from St. Paul Central High School in 1947. He attended St. Olaf College majoring in Speech, sang and traveled with the St. Olaf Choir, and worked at WCAL radio. He also earned a Masters in Economics from St. Thomas, took additional courses at Mankato State University and had all class requirements completed for a Doctorate in Theater at the University of Minnesota. In 1952, he joined the US Army and served in Korea and Japan in the area of communications. During his military service he was struck with polio. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to St. Olaf. While traveling with the St. Olaf Choir to Oslo, Norway, he married his sweetheart, Louise Rose Horchler on July 22, 1955, at the Cathedral in Oslo. They returned to Northfield and Ed taught for a year at St. Olaf and continued working at WCAL. In 1957, he began working for the Rosemount Public Schools. He taught Drama and English, and eventually Social Studies and Economics and directed the theater department. For several, summers, Ed directed a community theater in Rosemount. He retired in 1988.

Ed was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, and a member and past president of the Northfield Lions Club - serving as District Governor. He was a former member of the Northfield Jaycees, served several years as State Chairman for the Miss Minnesota Pageant and was an Assistant Boy Scout Leader. He was also a member of the Northfield American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans. He enjoyed working on his computer, antiquing, and collecting Red Wing pottery. Along with being an avid Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings fan, Ed had a passion for music and theater. Ed was outgoing and social and was dearly loved by his family. He enjoyed playing games, watching sports and laughing with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Louise; 4 children and their spouses: Michael and Cristina of Durham, New Hampshire, Kurt and Jan of Roswell, New Mexico, Katherine and Michael Thornton of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Stephanie and Jeffrey Sharp of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania; 9 grandchildren: Anthony, Amaryth, Andrew, Brad, Crysten, Ryan, Stephanie, Erica, and Emma; 6 step grandchildren; Breanne, Joshua, Danielle, Forrest, Brett and Nichelle; 1 cousin: Sally of Shreveport, Louisiana; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Edwin passed away Saturday morning, July 24, 2010, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester following a brief illness, at the age of 80.

The memorial and funeral services will be held on Monday August 2 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield with Rev. Mark Johnson officiating. Music will be provided by Daniel Fenn. Lunch, with time for personal sharing, will directly following the service at the Church. Internment with Military Honors will be in Oaklawn Cemetery, Northfield at 3:00 pm. Memorials are preferred to be given to St. Johns Lutheran Church, Disabled America Veterans and the Lion's Eye Bank.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home.