Edward O'Leary

Edward F. O'Leary, 84, of Fort Dodge passed away Thursday, July 8, 2021 at Trinity Regional Medical Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM Saturday, July 17, 2021 at Holy Trinity Church. Burial will follow in Corpus Christi Cemetery with military rites provided by the United States Air Force Honor Guard and the VFW Post 1856. A visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 PM Friday at Laufersweiler Funeral Home. Ed is survived by his children, Debbie O'Leary (Randy Bauer) of Granger, Julie (Marc) Solnet of Highlands Ranch, CO, Sean O'Leary of Plainfield, IL; daughter-in-law, Chris O'Leary; grandchildren, Ryan (Kiley), Joe, and Erin O' Leary, Connor (Emily) and Sydney O'Leary, Abbey and Sarah Solnet, Jenna (Simon Sheaff) and Kiera Bauer; great-granddaughter, Cora O'Leary; and brothers, Pat (Jan) O'Leary of Grand Beach, MI, Tom (Diane) O'Leary of Bonita Springs, FL, Jim (Eileen) O'Leary of University Heights, OH, and William (Geraldine) O'Leary of Grosse Point, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Helen (Savage) O'Leary; wife, Betsy O'Leary in 2016; son, Tom O'Leary in 2012; and infant brother, Donald. Edward Francis O'Leary was born July 19, 1936 in Fort Dodge and graduated from Corpus Christi High School in 1954. On August 31, 1956 he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Betsy Drzycimski. Ed served in the United States Air Force. His service included working at a early warning radar installation in Canada. Ed worked as a letter carrier for 35 years and after retiring he served as director of the Fort Dodge Human Rights Commission. He served three terms as state president of the National Association of Letter Carriers and was also president of the North Central Federation of Labor. As a community servant, Ed served on numerous boards. He served 2 three year terms on the Fort Dodge School Board including a year as president. He also served 9 years on the Area Education Agency board. Ed served for the Elderbridge Area Agency on Aging, three years as president. He was a member of the Iowa Workforce Development Board and the Older Iowan Legislature where he was elected speaker. In the 70's he served on the desegration committee for the Fort Dodge Public Schools. He was a weekly guest on a local radio talk show where he got to give his opinion whether you liked it or not! Over the years his service earned him many awards. He was cited locally and regionally by Sertoma with the Service to Mankind Award. He earned the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award and the Fort Dodge Kiwanis Club Community Service Award. Ed was a Red Cross volunteer, United Way board member, usher at Corpus Christi Church, and a member of the Daybreak Rotary Club. He was a devoted New York Yankees fan and a proud Democrat. Above all, Ed was a devoted family man who loved his family very much. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Memorials may be left to family discretion. Visitation Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Funeral Mass Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 10:00 am Holy Trinity Church 2501 6th Avenue North Fort Dodge, IA 50501