Edwin Callanan

Edwin “Ed” Patterson Callanan, 97, of Mason City, Iowa, died Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa, Mason City.

Mass of the Christian Burial was held on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. John Gossman officiating.  Burial was in Clear Lake Cemetery, Clear Lake, with military honors provided by the Clear Lake V.F.W.

Family suggests memorials to Opportunity Village or charity of your choice.

Ed was born in Kimball, Minn. the son of Charles Edwin and Laura Inez (Patterson) Callanan.

He graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1937.  Following high school he drove truck for Clear Lake Sand and Gravel.  He enlisted in the United States Army in 1942 after Pearl Harbor. He served with the Headquarters Troop 91st Reconnaissance Squad, which was part of General Patton’s 5th Armored Division. He served in the battle campaigns in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. He received the Purple Heart due to shrapnel wounds received near Casino, Italy and spent many months in war hospitals in Atlantic City, New Jersey and Clinton, Iowa. He also received the Good Conduct Ribbon and Middle Eastern Ribbon with three bronze stars.

Following the service, he moved back to Clear Lake, where he married Ardis Lorraine Heitland on Dec. 21, 1944 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, and raised their son, Mike.

After his father’s death he and his brother, Paul, took over the family business, Callanan’s Smoke Shop, a local pool hall in Clear Lake.  In 1960 he went to work for the Federal government as a meat inspector at Deckers (Armours) and also Blue Ribbon Beef in Mason City. After retiring he worked part time for Mason City Park and Recreation Department.

Following the death of his wife, Ardis, he married Pauline Kavars on Nov. 1, 1975 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Clear Lake.

Ed enjoyed spending time with family, supporting his grandchildrens’ many activities, coffee club at Pies & More, and building many things in his workshop to share with family and friends.  He never met a stranger and quickly made many friends during his seven-year-stay at Good Shepherd Health Center, Mason City.

He was a member of Epiphany Parish of Holy Family, Mason City, Mason City Knights of Columbus 1006, charter member of Clear Lake V.F.W. Post # 4868,  the former AmVet Post, Rockwell American Legion Post, Mason City Chapter of Disabled American Veterans (while he was commander they started the van service to the V.A. Hospital in Des Moines), and was a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.

He is survived by his son, Mike (Cathy) Callanan, Clear Lake; three grandchildren, Adam (Jodi) Callanan, Mason City, Abby (Bryan) Wagner, La Vista, Neb. and Casey (Hunter) Callanan, Clear Lake; seven great-grandchildren, Eddie and Chloe Callanan, Carter and Jonah Wagner, Ellie, Kate and Henry Kotta; by his second wife Pauline’s family, Jolene (Raymond) Jacobsen, Nora Springs, Iowa, Gary (Bonnie Hall) Kavars, Clear Lake, and Mike (Dixie) Kavars, Clear Lake, and their families and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wives, Ardis and Pauline; brother, Paul and his wife, Ann Callanan; and his sister, Loretta and her husband, Mike Juhl.

The family would like to extend their appreciation for the wonderful care that was given to Ed by the staff of Good Shepherd Health Center.