Edward George Pulda Sr.

Edward George Pulda, Sr. died Saturday night, May 19, 2012 at his home in Lakeside, Navajo County, Arizona with most of his family at his bedside following a lengthy illness. He was 85 years old. "Ed", as he was affectionately known, was born on February 11, 1927 in Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa to the late William Frank and Ruth Ann (Kennedy) Pulda Sr.

As a young man, Ed served in The U.S. Navy during WWII. He actually drove the LST boat that shuttled the dignitaries out to the U.S. Missouri where Japan and The United States signed the Peace Treaty that finally brought an end to World War II. Following the end of the war, Ed married his first wife, Pauline Bittle, and to their union, his first 3 children were born. On December 30, 1950, Ed married Gwendolyn Zae (VanHorn). The happy couple moved to Arizona 60 years ago and have since made Yuma their home. In 1954, Ed opened an appliance store which is now known as Ed's Appliance Center. He made a comfortable living for his family caring for the appliance needs of thousands of others in his community. He was naturally a service oriented individual. Everybody he served found him to be honest in all of his business dealings and that he possessed a character of integrity that was admired by everyone whom-ever had the privilege to work for him.

Ed believed in being an active member of his community. He was a lifelong member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elk (B.P.O.E.) Yuma Lodge #476. He was also Past Exalted Ruler from 1982 to 1983. He worked hard to carry out the responsibilities of that position and his family was so proud of everything he was able to accomplish. In 1971, he and his wife were able to buy a summer home in Lakeside, Arizona, and while there, he attended the Elks Lodge in Show Low, too. They always appreciated the beauty of the White Mountains and really enjoyed the cooler temperatures of those mountains. Also, over the years, Ed was an active member of Yuma's Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was respected by, literally, thousands of people throughout the state and all will miss him very much.

Ed was a man who, above all else, loved his family. He was a loving and devoted husband and always enjoyed spending as much time as he could with his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Early in life, Ed recognized that no success in life could ever compensate for failure within his home. He taught virtuous family values to his children and grandchildren and also taught them to take responsibility for their own actions. Ed also had a wonderful "fun" streak in him. Whenever possible, Ed would go, with whomever was available, on a nice relaxing fishing trip. He loved to go skeet and trap shooting, too. However, most of his family will remember the great camping trips he took them on! He was also an active member of the Elks Cactus Campers and always enjoyed camping wherever the group went.

After 40 years of a wonderful marriage, Ed's world was turned upside down when his dear wife, Gwendolyn died in 1990. On Valentine's Day in 1991, Ed found love again when he married B. Marie (Watson) in Las Vegas, Nevada. They most recently celebrated their 21st wedding anniversary and, together, they blended to beautiful loving families into one. The legacy that Ed leaves behind is enormous and his wife, children and grandchildren will forever be grateful to have been a part of his life.

He is survived by: his wife, B. Marie Pulda of both Lakeside and Yuma, Arizona; 15 children: Edward (Sue) Pulda, Jr. of Apache Junction, Arizona, Judy Kaufman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Linda Chesmore of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Robert Strunz of San Diego, California, Nancy Thomas of Yuma, Arizona, Gerald (Mary) Strunz of Anaheim Hills, California, Thomas Frank Pulda of Yuma, Arizona, Cindy (Bob) Gilbert of St. Petersburg, Florida, Calvin Ray (Cindy) Pulda, Sr. of Show Low, Arizona, Carol L. (Patrick) Riley of Yuma, Arizona, Cheryl L. (Ken) Hefner of Maricopa, Arizona, Edwin G. (Dee) Pulda, Sr. of Lakeside, Arizona, Christine (Fred) Arsaga of Yuma, Arizona, Karen Pulda of Yuma, Arizona, Robert A. Strunz of Lakeside, California; many grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. Along with his parents, Ed was preceded in death by his brother, William Pulda and by his wife of nearly 40 years, Gwendolyn Zae (VanHorn) Pulda in 1990.

A public visitation for Ed will be from 4:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M., Friday, June 1, 2012 at the Chapel of Johnson Mortuary, 1415 S. 1st Avenue, Yuma, Arizona. The funeral service will begin promptly at 9:00 A.M., Saturday, June 2, 2012 also at the Chapel of Johnson Mortuary. The concluding service with military honors will immediately follow at the Desert Lawn Cemetery in Yuma.

Memorial contributions in Ed's name to: Elks National Foundation, 2750 N. Lakeview Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60614-2256 or to the American Cancer Society , P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73123-1718 have been suggested by his family. Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled the arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences or sign our online guest books, we invite you to visit our website at www.owenslivingstonmortuary