Edwin Wisian

Edwin Emil Wisian died surrounded by family on September 23, 2017 at the age of 96 in Nordheim, Texas.  He is survived by his wife Edith Mann Wisian; children Patty Wisian-Neilson (Bob) of Fort
Worth, Gary Wisian (Carolyn) of Nordheim, Randy Wisian (Beverly) of Blue Springs, MO, Kirby Wisian (Andra) of Boerne, and Lori Wisian-Brooke (Danny) of Austin; grandchildren Andrew Neilson, Beth Neilson , Wesley Wisian, Clayton Wisian, Holly Wisian Sandeen, Mikel Hynes, Krysta Frazier, Cammy Wisian, Kyle Wisian, Hans Wisian, Trent Wisian, Carson Brooke, and Connor Brooke; great-grandchildren  McKayla Moody, Evan Neilson, Layne Wisian, Grahm Wisian, Abigail Wisian, Eli Wisian, Liam Frazier, Tyler Frazier, and Logan Hynes.

Edwin is preceded in death by his parents, August Wisian and Anna Wundt Wisian; siblings Hugo Wisian, Hilda Wisian Burnet, Herman Wisian, Ernest Wisian, Julius Wisian, and Herbert Wisian; son Donald Wisian and grandson Walker Scott Wisian.

Edwin was born September 11, 1921 on a farm about three miles west, southwest of Robstown, Texas.  The sixth child of seven total, his German heritage was evident in his upbringing, resulting in his learning both German and English.  He attended school in Robstown through the eighth grade.   At about age 15 he started his first dairy with his father.

In 1940 the family moved to Realitos, Texas in Duval County, about 60 miles east of Laredo, Texas before they bought a farm there about a year later.  Upon moving to Realitos, he and his brother, Herman, jointly owned a dairy and peanut farm.  Edwin made long-lasting friendships with peers that he met in Realitos.  This group would get together for community events, movies, and dances.  Through this group, he met Edith Mann, whom he eventually married.  However, Edith had spotted him long before. Being a very shy, young girl, she remembers peeking out at Edwin, his brothers, and dad when they came to the Mann farm for an introductory visit.

Edwin worked with his brother Herman on the dairy until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944.  After induction at Randolph military base in San Antonio and training in Fort Hood and California, Edwin and Edith were married during a one-week furlough on February 12, 1945.   They managed to take a short honeymoon in Corpus Christi, a destination they visited often through the years to celebrate anniversaries.  After the furlough, Edwin shipped out to the Philippines from California and returned to California one year and one day later.  Shortly thereafter, he was honorably discharged from military service in 1946.    

While Edwin was enlisted, Edith remained with her family on the farm in Realitos. Upon Edwin's return from the service, he and Edith moved to Herman and Edwin's leased farm in Cuero and lived there for seven months.

Then Edwin and Edith began their own dairy farm on leased land near Lindenau, near Cuero.  Their first home together on the farm was very airy, and the temperature was either really hot or really cold, depending upon the season of the year.  During rainy spells, the couple had to sleep separated by a bucket in the middle of the bed to catch the dripping water.

In 1949 in search of a farm to call their own, Edwin and Edith started looking at land in the Yorktown and Nordheim area.  Meanwhile, they moved to the Otto Mann farm, home to Edith's parents, just south of Yorktown.  They stayed in a tiny bunkhouse behind the main house and during that time they welcomed their first child, Patty.

In 1950 Edwin and Edith bought property south of Nordheim, which would be home for the next 67 years.  They started a dairy farm, eventually milking 30-40 cows on their award-winning dairy.  In 1964 to augment income to support a growing family, Edwin began a career as a rural letter carrier in the Nordheim area. By this time, Gary, Randy, Kirby, and Lori had arrived. Edwin looked to Edith to care for the family, as well as help him run the dairy. In 1966, three years after daughter Lori was born, they sold the dairy.  However, later, Edwin jointly operated a dairy with his sons, until Gary eventually bought out the enterprise.  Edwin worked as the Nordheim rural letter carrier until 1991.

Although Edwin was retired, he continued to maintain the farm property as long as he was able.  He had a natural talent for engineering, which was evident in implementation of farm equipment, buildings, gardening, and irrigation solutions.   He avidly followed the latest technologies and was one of the first farmers in South Texas to purchase and use a hay baler to produce large round bales.  He installed solar panels to power water wells and bought one of the first gas-efficient Honda Civics in South Texas, a low-water use washing machine, and a hybrid car. The grandkids said he could fix anything. Edwin enjoyed travelling, and throughout the years, he packed up the family and headed across the United States in a Ford station wagon, and later a Chevrolet Suburban, complete with a pop-up camper, a big jar of Rolaids and pounds of fried ham.  On long days, and sometimes nights, of driving Edwin would drive and play harmonica. The family particularly enjoyed camping in the West, sometimes for as long as five weeks at a time. However, after retirement, Edwin and Edith explored other places including Virginia to visit Randy and family, Georgia to visit Lori and family, Branson, Missouri, and to Bavaria, Germany to visit Edith's relatives.

A good-natured person with a great sense of humor, Edwin always had a sparkle in his eyes after hearing a good story or a joke.  However, those same eyes could stop his kids and grandkids in their tracks if they misbehaved or could make aggressive dogs turn tail and run on the mail route.

Gardening was a favorite past time for many years, and Edwin supplied the family with plenty of fresh vegetables during the summer months.  He often enjoyed vegetarian meals, his favorite being corn on the cob and sliced tomatoes.

A service-oriented citizen, Edwin served as a Nordheim ISD trustee which also prompted him to pursue a high school diploma through the GED program in 1974.  He was a member of Texas Farm Bureau, Sons of Herman, Nordheim Shooting Club, VFW, American Legion, National Rural Letter Carriers Association, and the Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA). Although he proudly fought for his country in World War II, Edwin was a seeker of peaceful relationships with all mankind and valued the free enterprise system for all people. Edwin was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Nordheim.

Visitation will be Tuesday, September 26, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  at Massey Funeral Home in Yorktown.  The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Nordheim, graveside service at Yorktown Westside Cemetery, with a reception to follow at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Nordheim.  Pastor Sue Irvin will officiate at the ceremony.  All are welcome to attend and celebrate Edwin's life.  Please send donations to  Alzheimer Disease Research Foundation dba Cure Alzheimer's Fund (https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/CureAlzFund/OnlineDonation.html).   On-line condolences can be sent to www.masseyfh.com. The family thanks all the caregivers, Cuero Home Health, and Hospice of South Texas for their dedication and care.

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