Edward Mcdunn

Edward Sylvester McDunn, age 86, went to the Lord, July 25, 2016, in his home, of natural causes, surrounded by his loving family.Ed was born July 10, 1930 to Leroy and Marie (Qunell) McDunn, on the Square Butte family farm. One of Eds childhood hobbies was collecting arrowheads while herding cattle on the open prairie near Manchester, MT. While in high school, he worked at the bowling alley until he graduated from St. Mary's High School. He worked various jobs including a grade school custodian and busboy at the Rainbow Hotel before serving in the U.S Marine Corps from 1951 to 1954. He spent one year in Korea fighting in the Korean War. He was wounded at the battle of Bunker Hill #673, taking a bullet in his leg. He received a purple heart for his brave service. There were only seven survivors from the original 41 in his platoon. He obtained a business degree from the College of Great Falls. Ed was Foreman of the Wire Mill at the Anaconda Smelter from 1964 to 1974. He then became a full time wheat, barley, and hay farmer until retirement.Ed married the love of his life, Doris Diacon on August 18, 1952. They were married for 63 years. A favorite plaque on Eds wall said Here lives the Worlds Greatest Fisherman, with the Catch of his life! Ed and Doris had five sons and six daughters that they raised in Great Falls, MT. Astoundingly, he has 106 descendants! Ed was a loving husband, father, grandpa and great grandpa. He taught his children, many grandchildren and even neighbor kids how to be responsible, accountable, to work hard and the value of a dollar. As he always said There is no such thing as a free lunch, someone paid for it. Another valuable lesson was the harder you work for something, the more you appreciate it.The value of family was very evident in the way Ed raised his children. He delighted in entertaining his family for the holidays and enjoyed camping with his children and grandchildren. He worked hard and played hard. In 1996, Ed and Doris fulfilled their life-long dream, owning a home on the Missouri River. One of his favorite things was watching his kids and grandkids swim, catch fish and crawdads, and enjoy the River House as he watched from his back deck. He enjoyed traveling to visit friends and family, attended many Marine Corps reunions and seldom missed a family reunion. He loved music, played the harmonica and paid for many of his grandchildren's music lessons. In his younger years he boxed, raced stock cars, water skied, enjoyed bowling and loved fishing and hunting. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus a member of the Moose and was on the original committee to build St. Joseph's Catholic School on the west side of Great Falls. Attending church on Sundays was very important to Ed, and he rarely worked on a Sunday. The way Ed lived his life, it is evident faith was very important to him. He was so proud of all of his children and grandchildren.Edward is survived by five daughters, Patsy Judd of Helena, MT, Barb (Terry) Fifield of Maple Valley, WA, Georgia (Ken) Miller of Great Falls, MT, Colleen Durand of Lakewood, WA, and Linda (Eldon) Engen of Casper, WY; three sons, Tom (Camille) McDunn of Butte, MT, Dan (Melissa) McDunn and Steve (Lisa) McDunn both of Great Falls, MT; daughter-in-law Debbie McDunn of Great Falls, MT; brothers Michael (Sharon) of Billings, MT and Gene (Lula) of Great Falls, MT; sisters Mary Styren and Martha Ginther both of Billings, MT, and Theresa Maki of Great Falls, MT. He also leaves behind 36 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Doris McDunn; his parents, Leroy and Marie McDunn; two sons, Harold and Timothy; daughter Annette; granddaughter Katelyn McDunn; and two brothers, Henry and Roy McDunn.Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Schnider Funeral Home and one hour prior to the vigil service, with sharing by family and friends on Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. The funeral liturgy will be Friday, July 29, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Burial with military honors will be at 3:00 p.m. at Fort Harrison Veterans Cemetery in Helena.Memorial contributions can be made to the Ursuline Centre, Boys and Girls Town of Nebraska and Sletten Cancer Institute.