Edward Henry Kielsmeier

Edward Henry Kielsmeier, Jr., 74, of Charles City, Iowa, passed away peacefully Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021 at the 9th Street Chautauqua Guest Home in Charles City.

A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Ed’s life will be held at Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home in Charles City from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. Masks will be required and social distancing guidelines followed.

Edward “Ed” Henry Kielsmeier, Jr. was born September 23, 1946 in Charles City, Iowa. He graduated from Charles City High School with the class of 1964. Immediately upon graduation, Ed attended school in Des Moines completing his training as an Operation Room Technician. Ed’s great love for his country propelled him to enlist in the United States Navy serving his country at home and abroad, and then later re-enlisting to serve his fellow enlistees at the Naval Hospital at Los Alamitos, California.

On Nov. 18, 1967, Ed was united in marriage to Rebecca “Becki” Rae Beckwith, renewing their vows on Dec. 23, 1976. Ed was welcomed into Becki’s family and considered one of “the group.” Ed and Becki were able to share their love of each other by adopting a daughter, Bili Jo, and welcoming her wholly into their life.

While working at Floyd County Memorial Hospital, Ed’s love for helping people led him to pursue a degree in nursing. Ed completed his degree in 1981, earning his licensure as a Registered Nurse from North Iowa Area Community College. Ed practiced nursing as a company nurse for White Farm in Charles City, then as an OR nurse and finally as a dialysis nurse for Mercy Hospital. Ed was able to develop lasting relationships with many of the patients he served.

Ed’s many loves were being with his family, traveling, going to sporting events, playing cards and being “a part of.” His special loves were his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, niece, nephew, great-niece and great-great nieces and nephews. As he often told Becki, “If any of them need anything – get it for them – it’s only money.” Up until Ed’s last day he would ask how his “babies” were doing.

One of Ed’s most cherished memories was the Honor Flight to our country’s Capital viewing the Vietnam Memorial. Also on one of Ed’s trips to Hawaii, he was able to visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial and pay his respects to those who served our country.

Ed was a member of the VFW, American Legion and Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Becki of Charles City; daughter, Bili Jo Buseman of Charles City; grandchildren: Joshua, McCauley, Austin and Kaden Buseman of Charles City; great-grandchildren: Gavin and Grayson; sister-in-law, Sharon Aringdale of Charles City; niece, Shari (Mike) Dunn of Mason City; nephew, Bob (Laura) Aringdale of Charles City; great-niece, Shara (John) Klesath of Nora Springs; and great-great nephews and nieces: John Maxwell, Sophia, Bella and Ben Klesath of Nora Springs.

Hauser Weishaar Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, 1205 South Main Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616 is in charge of local arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall for the family at www.hauserfh.com.