10/28/2019 - Edmund 'Ed' Bieganski

Memorial services for Edmund “Ed” Bieganski, age 99, will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, October 28, 2019 at the United Methodist Church in Chadron, NE with Pastor Bonnie McCord officiating.

Burial will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery in Chadron, NE.

A memorial has been established for the Chadron State College Foundation for the Ed Bieganski "Develop Your Potential" Endowment. Earnings from the endowment will provide scholarships to CSC students who demonstrate a strong work ethic and the willingness to give back to society. Donations may be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.

Ed came into this world in Cover, PA on February 4, 1920. He was the third of six sons born to Josef and Katherine Wroblewski Bieganski. These boys, referred to by the locals as the “brothers six,” grew up on a dairy farm near Cambridge Springs, PA.

These were the depression years and young Ed began watching for ways to make a little money. He started with pounding nails for a new barn being built on the way to school (sometimes instead of school) and earning $1 a day. At the age of 17, Ed’s second brother left home and headed west. Ed listened closely to the tales of those adventures shared with the family on a return trip and decided that was what he wanted to do. Upon turning 18 and graduating high school, Ed tasted the life of a hobo, riding trains, picking up odd jobs, carnival work, truck driving, and hitchhiking. He followed in his older brother’s footsteps that led to the George Weise farm west of Chadron, NE and the Bass Truck Garden east of Chadron.

In August 1939, Ed learned of the Fort Robinson Army Post and, due to his working with horses in his growing-up years, was enlisted immediately into the Army. Thus began his 20-year military career. He was issued his uniform from what is now the Post Playhouse and began his job in the Quartermaster Remount Station, classifying/documenting each horse with pedigree, height, weight, origin, and branded with its file number. That included breaking and riding the horses to be issued to other forts for cavalry or horse-drawn artillery. This assignment continued for three years, and during these years, he met a sweet school teacher from Valentine, NE on a blind date. He and Fern Linabery were married on August 4, 1941. Fort Robinson has always been a special place for Ed all of his life.

When cavalry units were deactivated, Ed reenlisted and was assigned to a trucking company, where he was involved with the rebuilding of Iwo Jima. With his third reenlistment, he performed administrative duties in Okinawa, Japan, Fort Lee, VA, Frankfort, Germany, and Tooele, UT.

During these military years, Ed and Fern had two children, Gary and Maria. The family lived in numerous locations of interest, including the Quonset huts in Okinawa, and was able to travel to all European countries.

In 1959, Ed retired from the army and moved the family back to Dawes County, NE. “Retirement” brought on many other opportunities starting with building a home south of Chadron. Ed worked for Olson Moving and Storage, drove Allied Van Lines across the country, and was a part of the Chadron Police Force, the US Forest Service, and Pine Ridge Job Corps.

It was at Chadron State College that Ed earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and taught speech and communication as well as adult and continuing education classes for a couple years. He enjoyed maintaining his military connections with the Honor Guard, American Legion, and VFW and while traveling across the country in the Allied Van Lines. Ed loved his 99-plus years full of life, adventure, experience, and friends.

He was preceded in death by wife Fern of 69 years; his parents; son-in-law Gene Daniels; and four brothers. Immediate survivors include daughter Maria Daniels; son Gary and wife Donna; brother Arthur and wife Joan; 4 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.