Edward “Ed” Salzer, age 87, of Luverne, Minn., passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, at the Hospice Cottage in Luverne.
Memorial service was at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the American Reformed Church in Luverne with visitation held one hour prior from noon to 1 p.m. Inurnment will be in the St. Catherine Cemetery in Luverne at a later date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hartquist Funeral Home in Luverne. Please visit www. hartquistfuneral.com to sign an online registry.
Edward Fred Salzer was born on Oct. 5, 1939, to Fred and Hannah (Schweigert) Salzer in Pollock, S.D. Ed was raised on a farm near Pollock until age two when the family moved into town. He was baptized and confirmed at the Pollock Presbyterian Church in Pollock. During high school Ed participated in basketball and track. He also worked at the local grocery store and for area farmers. Ed graduated from Pollock High School in 1957.
He went on to college at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, graduating in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education.
On Aug. 18, 1961, he married Joan Lier at the Pollock Presbyterian Church. The couple began their married life in Canby, Minn., where Ed was employed as a fifth-grade teacher. Several years later he returned to Northern State University to complete his Master’s Degree, graduating in 1966.
He then became an Elementary Principal at Belview Elementary School in Belview, Minn. In 1972, the family moved to Luverne, Minn., where Ed served as the Elementary Principal in Luverne Elementary School until his retirement in 1997.
Ed was a member of the American Reformed Church in Luverne where he served as Deacon, Elder, and as a Sunday School teacher. He also enjoyed singing in the choir. He was involved with the Luverne Lions Club and was a board member for Rock County Opportunities (DAC) from November 2011 to 2017. He stayed active in the community spending a great deal of time volunteering with Sanford Luverne Hospital and Sanford Luverne Hospice as a greeter. Ed and his wife were also honored to rock babies at Sanford Hospital in Sioux Falls. He enjoyed serving coffee and visiting at the Mary Jane Brown Home. In his spare time, he stayed active walking, riding bike, camping and singing.
After retiring, Ed enjoyed traveling with his wife to numerous destinations. Travels took them to California, Oregon, Hawaii, London including parts of Southern and Northern Europe, and Japan. He was grateful to be an active part of his grandchildren’s lives. He enjoyed attending as many activities as possible. He truly loved spending time with his family. Camping and the annual Okoboji trips at Cutty’s were family favorites.
Ed’s love for others and his Lord showed in his thoughtful acts of kindness. This love and kindness radiated in his work, community, and family life. He especially loved taking his grandchildren to the park, biking, reading, camping, swimming with them, and taking them out for an ice cream treat.
Ed was the best husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend that God could have blessed us with. He will always be remembered for his kind and caring heart, his giving nature, and devotion in serving the Lord. Ed also had a special compassion and love for children, was a dedicated educator, and demonstrated honesty in all his actions. He was also nicknamed by the teachers as the “Silver Fox”. He has truly been a blessing to all who have known him. The most blessed have been his children. We love you Dad!
On Wednesday, Oct. 2026, while surrounded by his family at the Luverne Hospice Cottage, Ed peacefully went to be with his Lord at the age of 87 years and 23 days.
Left to cherish his memory are his children: Ruth (Bryan) Aldrich of Luverne, Minn., Patty Kienholz of Luverne, Angie (Lenny) Akkerman of St. Michael Minn., and Jon Salzer of Luverne; seven grandchildren: Nate (Megan) Aldrich, Sarah (Steven) Arriaza, Nicole McCray, Kristen (Kyle) Stoks, Alyssa Kienholz, Nick (Aspen) Akkerman, and Makayla Akkerman; seven great-grandchildren: Hunter, Connor and Theo Aldrich, Brayton, Quinn, and Micah McCray, and Ethan Stoks. Baby girl Akkerman due in February.
Preceding him in death were his wife of 64 years, Joan (2025); his parents; his two brothers, Irvin and Chester Salzer; son-in-law, Bryan Kienholz (2025); and great-granddaughters, Nora Jane Stoks (2025) and Baby Aldrich (2017).
