Edwin William Geers

Edwin William Geers

Manchester

Edwin William (Ed) Geers, 91, of Manchester passed away on October 19, 2024. He was born April 4, 1933, to Gerard and Freida Geers outside Petersburg, Iowa.

Ed was ordained as a priest with Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) in 1961. While waiting for a visa to go to his initial assignment in India, Ed completed a degree in Agriculture from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and a degree in Industrial Studies from the University of Northern Iowa. Still awaiting a visa, he traveled to Mexico to study Spanish and help build the Seminary in Guadalajara.

After finally receiving his visa, Ed traveled to India and assisted with agricultural and farm projects for local villages. An injured shoulder brought Ed back to the United States for surgery. Afterwards, he traveled extensively throughout Asia with Agricultural Missions, Inc. to evaluate agricultural projects. He later served as the Executive Director for Heifer Project International. Ed received a formal dispensation from his vows in Spring 1980. He wanted to continue his ministry in different capacities and with different organizations and did not feel the need to continue that work as a priest. Still, he said, “the mission never left me.”

Ed married Sara (Sally) Kunkle Guthrie in May 1980 and soon after, they moved to rural Alabama to assist low-income farmers working with the Federation of Southern Cooperatives. Their next move was to Haiti, where they worked for nine years on a livestock improvement program with Winrock International.

In 1996, they moved to Cambodia for Sally’s appointment with the United Nations Development Program. Two years later, they moved to Ukraine, where Ed was employed by Louisiana State University to support local farmers.

Returning to settle in Micanopy, Florida, Ed and Sally turned their efforts to volunteering extensively with local organizations. After Sally passed away, Ed returned home to Iowa, where he enjoyed volunteering, woodworking, and photography. He served on the Board of the Byways of Iowa Foundation and funded the creation of a two unique public art pieces in Delaware County.

Ed is survived by his siblings and their spouses Rosemary Klein, Fritz (Mary) Geers, Bill (Ginny) Geers, Gertrude (Ralph) Hunt, Steve (Lila) Geers, Charles (Vicky) Geers, and Clara Cole; in-laws Cindy Geers, Margie Geers, Pat Jolly, and Sharon Wiskus; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Sally; siblings Rudolph (in infancy), Joseph, Al, Bud, Gerry, James, and John; in-laws Gene Osterhaus, Dick Klein, MaryAnn Geers, Janice Geers, Kay Geers, Ann Geers, and Jack Cole.

A mass and Celebration of Life will be held on November 8, 2024, at 10:30 am at Divine Word College in Epworth, Iowa.

His final resting place will be in Miconopy, Florida with Sally.