Edward "Eddie" Ray Atwater Obit

EDWARD "EDDIE" RAY ATWATER, 72, of Emily, passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 8, 2024.   He was born in Crosby on July 2,1952, the seventh of nine children born to Randle “Kelly” and Ruth (Hite) Atwater. After graduating from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1970, Ed enlisted in the U.S. Army, receiving his honorable discharge in 1974.  He married Linda Boelter-Phillips in 1980 and worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Minneapolis for many years.     He loved to hunt and fish when he was able to do so.  He was an avid player of pool, horseshoes and golf.  He was a knowledgeable collector of agates and other valuable stones—and a sharp-eyed collector of antiques. He was a talented crafter of jewelry made of agates and other non-precious stones and enjoyed sharing and selling his jewelry at festivals and flea markets. He had a great memory, a quick wit and sense of humor.  This all enabled him to easily make and keep friends wherever he went. Preceding him in death are his parents and two siblings:  infant brother in 1957 and brother Jim Atwater in 2015. He is survived by four children: daughter Kelli Baker of WA; daughter Emily (Sharale) Atwater of Duluth; son Michael Atwater of Minneapolis; daughter Michelle Atwater of Ashland, WI; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers Don (Peggy Gates) Atwater, Charlie (Andrea) Atwater; Paul Atwater, all of Emily; sisters, Judy Zettervall, Brainerd; Polly Balken, Fargo, ND; Elaine Atwater, Crosslake and sister-in-law, Sheila Atwater of Washington. A Celebration of Life will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, June 28, at the Wesleyan Church in Emily. Military honors will be presented by the Myrin-James American Legion Post #443 of Ironton.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.