Klouda, Edwin Frank

Edwin Frank Klouda, 92, of Cedar Rapids, died April 7, 2010, at Cottage Grove Health Center in Cedar Rapids. Services: 11 a.m. Monday at Westminster Presbyterian Church, where there will also be Masonic services.  The Rev. Jim Langley will officiate. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday and at the church after 10 a.m. Monday.

Known for his sharp wit and one-liners, Ed had an infectious smile, an incredible memory and a pithy toast for every occasion. He will be remembered for his work ethic, his generosity, and his propensity for having fun.

Ed will be greatly missed by his bride of 68 years, CharLes; his children, Dr. Gary Klouda and wife Carol of Medford, Ore., Linda Kay Klouda of San Francisco, Calif., Roger Klouda and wife Gayle of Iowa City, Marla Wessel and husband Jeff of Cedar Rapids and Marlene Huston and husband Tom of Rushford, Minn.; six grandchildren, Anna (Klouda) Loomis and husband Geoff, Peter Klouda and wife Brooke, Justin Wessel and wife Stefani, Jacob Wessel, Kim (Klouda) Watkins and husband Crick and Kyle Klouda; two stepgrandchildren, Shane and Joshua Huston; five great-grandchildren, Brynli, Cooper and Addison Loomis, Caden Klouda and Skyler Wessel; and one grand-dog, Jackie.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Milo Klouda; and his sister, Eleanor Nelson.

Ed was born June 4, 1917, to Rudolph Frank and Mary (Klepach) Klouda, in Cedar Rapids. He graduated from Wilson High School in 1935. He met his future wife, CharLes Mullenix, while studying mechanical engineering at Iowa State University. Ed and CharLes were married June 22, 1941, in Woodbine, Iowa.

Ed began his manufacturing career at Collins Radio after his high school graduation. During World War II, he was a manager at the Turner Co. In 1946, Ed started a tool and die business, New Era Industries, with his brother, Milo Klouda. He and CharLes later co-founded MSI Mold Builders, a plastic injection mold manufacturing company, in 1971. In addition to pursuing excellence in his own 60-year career, Ed also stimulated the local machining trade by training hundreds of machinists. Together, he and CharLes endowed a scholarship at Kirkwood Community College to ensure the continued training of skilled machinists. In 1997, Ed retired from MSI Mold Builders at age 80.

A self-proclaimed “eagle maniac” and orchid aficionado, Ed shared his love for natural beauty by gifting the fruits of his labor in the garden and greenhouse to appreciative family and friends. For more than 20 years, Ed and CharLes enjoyed spending winters in Hawaii and making new friends from around the world. They built his orchid collection to more than 200 varieties during their trips to Hawaii, on a Guatemalan orchid safari and through relationships with orchid-growers across the country. Together, Ed and CharLes were also fond of art that captured what they loved most in nature. They enjoyed befriending artists and building their collection of drawings, paintings and sculptures.

Ed was active as a Mason and Shriner, and in other fraternal organizations, including past master of Crescent Lodge, past patron of the Malta Chapter of the Eastern Star, 32nd Degree member of the Scottish Rite, Cedar Rapids Consistory, past potentate of El Kahir Shrine (1961), the Royal Order of Jesters and Theta Xi fraternity. Ed was a member of the Shrine Color Guard and was honored to carry the American flag to lead Shrine parades. He belonged to the Tuesday Noon Optimist Club and the American Orchid Society, and his loyalties and charitable contributions extended to the St. Luke's Health Care Foundation and the Samuel J. Kirkwood Society.

Ed was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids for more than 60 years. For the past three years, Ed and CharLes have been part of the Cottage Grove Place community in Cedar Rapids.

CharLes and her family would like to thank St. Luke's Hospice and the staff at Cottage Grove Health Center for their excellent, personal care for Ed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to St. Luke's Foundation, El Kahir Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children or to the Kirkwood Community College Edwin Klouda Endowed Scholarship Fund.

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