Edward Anthony Warmka, age 59, of Wells, died Monday, May 15, 2006, at his home.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 18, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Easton, with visitation at Bruss-Heitner Funeral Home in Wells on Wednesday, May 17, from 4 to 8 p.m. and one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. The Rev. Eugene Stenzel will officiate. Interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis with Military Honors by the Fort Snelling Rifle Squad.

Edward was born on Nov. 15, 1946, in Albert Lea, to Louis and Kathryn (Schimek) Warmka. He graduated from Wells High School in 1964. He served in the U.S. Marines in Vietnam as a radio man with the 3rd Recon Battalion 3rd Marine Division from 1966 to 1967, including the Battle for Khe Sahn. He married Jerrilyn Brandt on June 20, 1970, in Wells and to this union three children were born. The couple were married for 27 years and later divorced. He attended vocational school where he studied refrigeration. He was a member of the Catholic faith, the Wells American Legion Post, a member and past commander of the Wells V.F. W. Post, and the Wells Color Guard. He enjoyed gardening, fishing and hunting, nature especially bird watching, camping and helping others.

Edward is survived by his son Chris Warmka and friend Heather Andrews of Wells, with one grandchild on the way; daughter Linsey Warmka and friend Greg Heine of Mankato; daughter Whitney Warmka of Minneapolis; their mother Jeri Warmka of Wells; special friend Barb Fraley of Albert Lea; four brothers and five sisters: James and wife Marian Warmka of Wells, Helen and husband Sylvester Botzet of Osakis, Minn., Margaret and husband Thomas Barrett of Little Canada, Rosemary Cavadini of Bangor, Wis., Kathleen and husband Norbert Wilder of Albert Lea, Rita and husband John Haley of Waseca, Tom and wife Cheryl Warmka of Easton, John Warmka of Grand Meadow, Dan and wife Deb Warmka of Easton, sister-in-law: Sherry Warmka of Easton, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ken and sister Mary Ann Warmka.