Edmund Schwahn, 78, of Omaha, NE and formerly of Eagle Butte, SD & Spearfish, SD passed away on Sunday, June 6, 2010 in Elkhorn, NE.

Vigil Service will be at 7:00 P.M., Monday, June 14, 2010 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish.

Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Spearfish, with Father Tim Hoag as Celebrant. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery at 1:00 P.M. near Sturgis, SD. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are to be sent to the St. Joseph Catholic Church Building Fund.

Ed was born Oct. 9, 1931 to Joseph and Mary Schwahn. He was the second oldest of 10 children. He grew up in the Ridgeview area and graduated from Eagle Butte, SD high school. He served his country in the Army in the Korean War. He was awarded the United nation Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.

On November 22, 1958 he married the love of his life Maxine (Macky) Thompson. Together they raised one daughter and three sons instilling in them the importance of faith, family and education. To Ed college was not optional, but required, and his main goal for his children was for them to have careers they enjoyed. He began working in the electronics field when he returned from the service. He founded Schwahn Radio and Electric in 1958 and operated it successfully for 40 years. He was integrally involved in development one of the first power plants and communication systems for radio and television for his hometown of Eagle Butte, South Dakota. In 1973 the family and the business moved to Spearfish. He employed and trained his 3 sons about the importance of work and a job well done.

He was an active participant in many sports: baseball, golf, and bowling. He also was a referee. He enjoyed watching his children compete in sports and there was always a ball game on the television. The New York Yankees, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Minnesota Vikings, and Nebraska Cornhuskers have lost a loyal fan. His Catholic faith was a strong constant in Ed's life. He was an active member of his parish and often helped with building projects at the church. He was also a volunteer fireman, Justice of the Peace and local Men's Group leader.

Ed is survived by his devoted wife Maxine, their daughter Cassie (Phil) Baker, 3 sons: Bryan (Tina) Schwahn, CJ (Lora) Schwahn, and Russ (Lisa) Schwahn, 14 grandchildren, 3 brothers; Clem, Charles and Jerry, 3 sisters; Gladys, Arlene and Mary Jane. Ed is preceded in death by his mother Mary, father Joe, sister Sally, 2 brothers: Don and Richard, and one special niece Jamie.