Edward B. Oliver

May 29, 1934 - January 8, 2018

Visitation: Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 8:00 p.m. at St. Dominic Catholic Church, with a scripture service at 7:00 p.m.

Service: Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday Jan. 13, at 10:00 a.m. at St Dominic Catholic Church in Canton.

Oliver - obitdad              Edward Bruce Oliver died on Monday, January 8, 2017 at the age of 83. A simple man who exemplified the meaning of faith, strength, and family.  Visitation will be Friday, January 12, from 5 to 8 PM at St Dominic Catholic Church, Canton, SD, with a scripture service at 7 PM. Rosary will precede this. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, January 13, at 10:00 AM at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Canton, SD.

                Ed was born on May 29, 1934 during the heart of the depression in Canton, S.D to Bruce and Jennie (Anderson) Oliver. The day after he was born, his aunt Lucille, a caretaker at the facility, removed a thick layer of dust from him before carrying her nephew into his mother’s room. He often recalled that even though it was a time of great hardship, he only recalled happiness and joy.  Ed graduated from Canton High School in 1952 and maintained lifelong friendships with his buddies Dick Haisch, Lyle Hoff, Lester Anderson and best friend Carroll Fossum. Carroll told him last year, “Eddie, you’re going to be the last man standing!” He was right.

                On June 30, 1956, Ed married the love of his life, Jeanne Schwebach, in Sioux City, Iowa. Soon after, he joined the Army and the two of them lived in El Paso, Texas. After completing his service, Ed worked for Raven and helped launch and collect weather data balloons. He always stated this job was more fun than work and afforded him the opportunity to fly anywhere from Texas to Canada and adventures too numerous to count.

                In September 1963, Ed and Jeanne welcomed their first child, Kimberly, into their home. Son, Christopher, joined the family in 1967 and another daughter, Victoria in 1971.

                In 1981, Ed moved his family to the Oliver Homestead, just west of Canton. Soon after, he felt called to serve the Lord and was ordained a Deacon of the Catholic Church in 1984. Ed served as a Deacon at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Canton until his retirement in 2004.

                Ed was a gentle and humble man who loved genealogy and anything tractors! With the last name Oliver, it really should come as no surprise! In 1985, Dad and his brother, Ralph, became involved with the Granite Threshing Bee in Granite, Iowa. For 30 years, Ed became known as the ‘Voice of the Bee”, announcing the tractor pull and the parade. The members would turn into more than just friends, they were family.

                Ed is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Jeanne; children Kim Ober, Savage MN; Chris (Denise), Bangor WI; and Vicki (Dan) Voss, of Canton, SD; nine grandchildren, Alyssa, Sarah, and Kristen Ober; Coey and Orrin Oliver; and Rowdy, Sterling & Casey Hillmer and MaKenzie Voss; siblings Ralph, Sioux Falls and Linda (Carl) Larson, Brandon, SD; brothers-in-law, Keith (Jovita) Schwebach and Don (Darlene) Schwebach, all of Sioux City, IA.

                Preceding him in death were his parents, Bruce and Jennie; sisters LuAnn and Clarice; sister-in-law Judy Oliver; nephews, Vaughn and Curtis Schreurs and Nathan Larson; and great-nieces Jennie and Clarissa Minihan; as well as many cousins and dear friends.

             Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice in Ed’s name. A few of his favorites are Avera Hospice, Alzheimer’s Association, and the American Bladder Cancer Society.

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16 messages have been left

  1. Mike and Teresa Drietz on January 9, 2018 said:

    So sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.

  2. Cam Lind on January 9, 2018 said:

    Sorry to hear of Ed’s passing, he was a true legend at Granite.

  3. Rebecca Flickinger on January 10, 2018 said:

    So sorry to lose such a wonderful man, but glad to know he is at peace. Ed was truly one of the sweetest most loving men I’ve ever known, and I felt honored to know him. A bright spot on earth, he is now shining down from heaven. Hugs and prayers to your family.

  4. Kathy McKinney on January 10, 2018 said:

    Vicki, so sorry for your loss, but what a great blessing you have had, and continue to have, with great Christian parents who brought up in the faith. God’s blessings to you and your family.

  5. Ralph Oliver on January 10, 2018 said:

    I sure am glad that God gave me Ed for a brother, and a friend. Thank you Lord. Rest in piece bro!

  6. Shelly Leither on January 10, 2018 said:

    I only had the pleasure of meeting Ed and Jeannie a few times over the years when I was with Ralph and Judy but they spoke so highly of all their family and rightly so. You are a great family and it is with these humble and faithful men and women that make your family one of the best. So sorry for your loss as I know he will be greatly missed.

  7. Craig and Patty Dittberner on January 10, 2018 said:

    Our sympathies to Ed’s family.

  8. Wayne. N Roxie Ebright on January 10, 2018 said:

    Ed always had a SMILE !
    Prayers to friends n family.💖!
    RIP. ED

  9. Lynda Johnson on January 11, 2018 said:

    We are so saddened to hear of Ed’s death. He was a great man and will be missed by all that knew him and loved him.

  10. Jim and Joanne Smith on January 11, 2018 said:

    Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ed’s family. Deacon Ed was an important part of our family’s life. We appreciated his pastoral leadership. He married our daughter and son-in-law, and continued to give our family support throughout the years. He will be missed.

  11. Rita Meyer on January 11, 2018 said:

    I am so sorry to hear of Ed’s passing. I worked with him for 15 years at Electronic Systems. I always admired him greatly, he was truly a caring, gentle soul whom everyone loved. May your memories sustain you, and know he is now with Jesus and is patiently waiting in Heaven, probably swapping tractor stories with other “Oliver” farmers.

  12. Dr Janell Christiansen on January 11, 2018 said:

    I was so sorry to read of the passing of Ed. What a gentle person! He took care of Jeanne and I visit with them on occasion. You have my prayers and sympathy. Dr Christiansen

  13. JIM BECKER on January 11, 2018 said:

    Jeanne & Family:
    My sincere condolences to each of you upon Ed’s death. I fondly remember Ed from our days in the 70’s/80’s w/the Minnehaha County & South Dakota Right To Life organizations & the good times we had. Unfortunately, the number of our surviving cohorts from those days is swiftly decreasing.
    Ed & each of you will be in my thoughts & prayers. May you have the Good Lord’s Peace & Comfort.

  14. Darrin Skyberg on January 11, 2018 said:

    I’m sorry for the loss of Ed. I remember him as a very kind and understanding person. I’m better for having know him the little that I did.

  15. Rick and Margaret Facer on January 11, 2018 said:

    My husband Rick and I would like to express our sincere sympathy to Jeanne and family. My mother was Mary Jane Buehler Rineveld and was 1st cousins with Ed. I had written and spoken with Ed a couple of times. My grandfather was Gus Buehler and my Grandmother was Margaret Ferguson Buehler. You may have known them or my Mom and Dad. My family and I live in Idaho. Just wanted to let you know. My cousin Michael and wife Cindy Buehler told us of Ed’s passing. Ed was a very nice man and I’m sure he will be missed by many.

  16. Vern & Kay Myers on January 12, 2018 said:

    Our prayers during this time of loss. God has called one of his special friends and child to his side and we should be rejoicing in this great event. Is there anything greater than being with God and his Son!!