EDDIE ZYLSTRA

It is with great sadness that the family of Eddie C. Zylstra announces his passing at age 79 on Thursday, December 3, 2020 while in hospice care at the Good Samaritan Society in Wagner, due to medical complications unrelated to Covid-19. His loving wife of 55 years, Marilyn, was by his side when he went home to be with the Lord.

Eddie was born on August 26, 1941 to Oscar and Adeline (Lenser) Zylstra in Bon Homme County. He was the oldest of five children. The family lived in many places throughout his life, including Springfield, Winner, Sioux Falls and Wagner, as his parents owned and operated businesses in those areas. Ed attended elementary school in Sioux Falls and high school in Wagner.

In January 1960, Ed enlisted in the Navy during the Vietnam era and was stationed on the Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Kearsarge. Many stories were shared about the astronauts recovered by Kearsarge when it served as a recovery ship in the space program. Ed was honorably discharged in 1965.

After time served in the Navy, Ed returned to Wagner and was united in marriage to Marilyn Daily on June 26, 1965. Four years later, they were blessed with a daughter, Christina.

Following in his parents’ footsteps, Ed owned and operated several businesses in the Wagner area. Ed also had a lengthy career in law enforcement.

Ed’s greatest joy was his family, especially his two granddaughters. The time they spent together and life lessons he taught them is his lasting legacy. In his younger years, Ed enjoyed performing with his band, Eddie Z’s Nashville Sound. It was always a special treat when Ed would pull out his guitar and sing during family gatherings. Ed enjoyed hunting and always looked forward to the annual Lassen/ Youngbluth pheasant hunt with the out-of-state hunters. Even more than the hunt, Ed enjoyed the fellowship and camaraderie among this group. Ed was an avid reader, with a thirst for knowledge, and could fix anything. He cherished time spent at the river and the lake cabin with his family and friends, as well as time spent with his brother and sister, traveling, listening to country western music, laughing and reminiscing about their youth.

Ed was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, a lifetime member of the American Legion, the Forty & Eight, and the Wagner Rotary Club.

Thankful for having shared his life are Ed’s wife Marilyn of Wagner; daughter Christina “Christy” Walsh and husband Mark Walsh of Sioux Falls; granddaughters Madelyn Walsh and Lauren Walsh of Sioux Falls; brother Ken (Dorothy) Zylstra of Sturgis; sister Sherlyn (Jerry) Watters of Sioux Falls; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Adeline; two infant siblings; his mother-in-law, Edna Daily of Wagner; and several brothers and sisters-in-law: Bud and Evie Daily of Wagner, Donna and Bob Youngbluth of Mitchell, Carol and John Simon of Geddes and Lila Daily of Wagner.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, funeral services with military honors will be held in the spring. Peters Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of arrangements.