Edward Fast

Edward Arthur Fast was born on June 8, 1932 to John and Helena (Vogt) Fast in rural Butterfield, MN. He lived his early years on a farm north of Butterfield and received his education at rural District #53 country school and the Butterfield Public School in Butterfield. Edward was baptized upon confession of his faith at the Mennonite Church of Butterfield on July 29, 1945. On June 20, 1952, he was united in marriage to Gladys Schmidt at the First Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake, MN where they remained members. Upon their marriage, they farmed the family farm until his retirement in 1998. During his farming career, he worked various jobs including custom harvesting, Schmidt Well Drilling, and Balzer Manufacturing. Edward loved to travel, which included the past 29 winters in Apache Junction, Arizona. He enjoyed playing the bass guitar at jam sessions around the country and in Canada. Edward died on Friday morning, February 20, 2009, at the age of 76, at the Immanuel St. Joseph's - Mayo Health System Hospital in Mankato, MN after a courageous battle with cancer. Edward was preceded in death by his parents; half-sister, Evelyn Lipset and husband Harold; half-brother, John E. Fast; and niece, Diane (Schmidt) Kirchner. He is survived by his wife, Gladys Fast of Butterfield; a daughter, LaVonne (David) Jungas of Mountain Lake; two sons, DeLyle (Luann) Fast of Butterfield and LaRoy (Diane) Fast of Butterfield; seven grandchildren Kimberly Jungas (Fiance' Raymond Samson) of Rochester, MN; Renee (Ryan) Olson of Salol, MN; Vicki Fast of Minnetonka, MN; Ryan Fast of Brookings, SD; Katherine (Andrew) Petty of Jordan, MN; and Angela Fast of Morris, MN; two great grandchildren, Caleb and Kaitlyn Olson; many other relatives and friends.