Ed Leistad

Ed Leistad, 74, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Monday, October 2, 2017, at Cass County Memorial Hospital.

Edward Lee Leistad was born on February 11, 1943, in Elk Horn, Iowa, the son of Einar and Anna Marie (Hansen) Leistad. During his childhood, he developed a love for animals, sports and the outdoors, all of which lasted through his life. He graduated from Elk Horn High School in 1961, and Northwest Missouri State in 1970.

In 1971, Ed purchased the rights to Safeguard Business Systems in eight Iowa counties, and operated the business out of his home in Atlantic. When more space was needed, he moved the business to downtown Atlantic. In later years, he purchased the rights to Safeguard in Nebraska and South Dakota. During his 46 years in business, he served on the National Board of Safeguard Distributors and reached the honor of being named to the President’s Club many times for reaching his sales incentives. Ed’s passion for sales and people contributed to his success over the years.

Ed was married to Eva Overgaard in 1972, until her passing in 1986. On May 6, 1995, he was united in marriage to high school sweetheart and soulmate, Debbie King Dennis at the First United Presbyterian Church in Atlantic. Ed and Debbie enjoyed time together traveling and rarely turned down a chance to get out on the dance floor. Above all, it was the time spent with grandkids and great-grandkids that they treasured most. It wasn’t just attending their many activities, which included sporting events, but also one on one time spent together with just them. Papa Ed always kept everyone on their toes because you never knew what he may have up his sleeve; always scheming up his next practical joke.

Anytime Ed could be outside, he was enjoying many activities including gardening, boating, fishing, golfing and feeding the birds. He was an avid Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs and Nebraska Cornhuskers fan; none of these compared to the loyalty and support he had for the Atlantic Trojans.

He was a member of the Elk’s Lodge, Millard Business Association, and the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, and served on the board of Nishna Hills Golf Course and the Atlantic Golf and Country Club over the years.

Ed will be deeply missed by his wife, Debbie; daughter, Lisa McLaren of Elk Horn; son, Andy (Julie) Dennis and their daughter, Delanie of Tampa, FL; grandchildren, Josh (Emily) McLaren and their sons, Jackson, Gavin and Benny of Atlantic, Donald (Lacee) McLaren and their daughters, Haylee and Kynlee of Fort Dodge, Michelle (Jeremy) Blake of Atlantic, and John (Terese) Stephenson and their children, Gage and Greyah of Des Moines; sister, Sonja Larsen of Ottumwa; brothers, Arnie (Vicki) Leistad of Atlantic and Roger (Barb) Leistad of Waterloo; many friends; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Einar and Anna Marie Leistad; sister, Elaine Greve-Hoffmann; nephew, Peter Greve; and his father and mother-in-law, Deb and Avis King.

Open visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, October 5th at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic, the family will be present Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., also at the church.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, October 6th at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, with Pastor Grant Van Lishout officiating.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation to organizations that impacted Ed’s life, including beatcancer.org

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Ed’s family and his arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com

In His Memory

Ed Leistad
“Papa Ed”

BORN
February 11, 1943 - Elk Horn, Iowa

ENTERED INTO REST
October 2, 2017 - Atlantic, Iowa
At the age of
74 Years, 8 Months & 1 Day

FUNERAL SERVICE
10:30 a.m., Friday, October 6, 2017
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church - Atlantic, Iowa

OFFICIATING
Pastor Grant Van Lishout

PIANIST
Jan Highfill

MUSICAL SELECTIONS
“Count Your Blessings” recorded by Bing Crosby
“Amazing Grace” by Randall Breckerbaumer
“The Greatest” recorded by Kenny Rogers
“Unchained Melody” recorded by the Righteous Brothers

CASKET BEARERS
Richard Mitchell
Kent Gade
Ivan Andersen
Gus Warne
Dick Hensley
Bob Smith

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Bruce Goldberg
Kenny Engelmeyer
Sue Muri
Kristi Dickey
Don Campbell
Don Chilton

FLOWER COMMITTEE
Tressa Hackwell
Lisa Larson
Jane Imhoff
Julie Elings

The family invites you to join them for lunch in the
fellowship hall immediately following the services.

Memorials may be made to the family for later designation to
organizations that impacted Ed’s life, including beatcancer.org.

To My Husband And
Our Papa Ed

A million times we needed you,
a million times we cried.
If love alone could have saved you,
you would have never died.
In life we loved you dearly,
in death we love you still.
In our hearts you hold a place,
no one could ever fill.
It broke our hearts to lose you,
but you didn’t go alone,
Part of us went with you,
the day God took you Home.
God saw you were getting tired
and a cure was not to be,
So He put His arms around you
and whispered, “Come with me.”
With tearful eyes we watched you suffer
and saw you fade away.
Although we loved you dearly
we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands to rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best!