Edwin E. “Ed” Armstead, 84, of Independence, Iowa died Saturday morning, November 16, 2013, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence, Iowa.

Ed was born on July 18, 1929, in Perry, Iowa the son of Earl and Grace (Jennings) Armstead. He graduated with the class of 1946 from the Panora High School. On October 10, 1948 he was united into marriage to Juanita Nickel in Panora, Iowa, they later divorced. On May 15, 1958 Ed was married to Mary Jean Kelm in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, she preceded him in death in 2003. On October 4, 2008 he married Betty Uthoff. Ed operated an Electrical Power Construction Company from 1957 until his retirement in 1999.

He was active in the Masonic Lodges, in Panora, Jesup, and Independence Iowa receiving 50 year member status, He served the Grand Lodge of Iowa 1984-85, 1992-93, 1995-96. Ed was also a member of the following, Eastern Star, White Shrine, Rotary Club, Oakwood Cemetery Association, Pioneer Cemetery Board, Independence Light and Power Company Board, OES-Barthell Nursing Home in Decorah, IA., and a member of the Shysters Coffee Club.

Ed was a good man who loved his family and his time as a gentleman farmer. He will be dearly missed.

Surviving is his wife Betty Uthoff, Independence, IA, six children; Barbara (Mike) Miller, Lawrence, KS, Duane (Linda) Armstead, Greenfield, IA, Robert (Traci) Armstead, William (Deanna) Armstead, Berton (Linda) Armstead, and Brian Armstead, all of Independence, IA., Step-children; Rick Uthoff, Maquoketa, IA, Jeff Uthoff, Manila, Philippines, and Laurie Uthoff, Fredericksburg, IA. thirty five grandchildren, thirty four great grandchildren.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; wife Mary Jean in 2003; and a sister; Marguerite Weiss in 2005 and a daughter-in-law Tammy Armstead in 2002.

Memorial Services will be held at 11 AM Tuesday at the First United Methodist Church, Independence, IA with Rev. Scott Meador officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 8 PM Monday at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory in Independence, IA where a Masonic Service will be held at 6:30 PM

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