Edgar (Ed) R. Grosdidier

Mass of Christian Burial for Edgar (Ed) R. Grosdidier, 86, Lawrence will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 29, 2018 at Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora, Kansas. Burial will follow at Holy Family Catholic Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the church after the burial. The family will greet friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary-Eudora Chapel.

Ed was born December 18, 1931 in Eudora, Kansas, the son of George and Anna (Feldkamp) Grosdidier.

Ed was raised on a dairy farm outside of Eudora and attended Eudora Schools where he participated in basketball, football and track. Ed had a passion for sports and was known as quite an athlete which gained the tag name of “Fast Eddie”.

Ed was recruited by Pittsburg State University as a running back but left to serve his country after one year.

Ed served in the United State Air Force as an Electrician in the Strategic Air Command. He was stationed in Alaska. Ed loved telling the story of hitchhiking home from Alaska on leave to see his beloved Donna Mae.

Ed married Donna Mae Reusch on September 26, 1953 at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Eudora. She survives of the home.

Ed was a Broker/Realtor for McGrew Real Estate until his retirement. Ed began his career with McGrew in 1967 after John McGrew overheard Ed talking to another businessman about a career change from selling furniture at Franks Furniture in downtown Lawrence and selling insurance at night for MFA Insurance. John called Ed that evening and the conversation began about his future employment. That chance meeting forever changed the landscape of his career and his life. Ed truly loved real estate, his clients (especially those young first-time homebuyers), open houses and his many development/building projects (he had quite the eye for detail and design) throughout Lawrence, Eudora, Baldwin and Edgerton. Many would say he was a workaholic but it was truly the love of the business and the people that motivated him as well as providing for his beloved family.

In his leisure time, you would find Ed driving the countryside with family in tow admiring farmland and enjoying the beauty of the Douglas County countryside. Ed always remained a “farm boy” at heart. His other passion was sports and watching any sport that he could, especially the Jayhawks. He was known to do a little coaching from his chair to the television. His other interests included maintaining his gardens and lawn. But most of all he loved family gatherings and was always the true host. In his later years, he would tell each kid what he would like them to fix for his gatherings. As one of his grandkids said, Grandpa sure loves our parties.” That he did!

While living in Eudora, Ed served as a Eudora City Councilman. Ed was a true believer in education and was proud of the fact that each of his children received their college degree. He also believed all kids should have a chance at receiving an education. When he had the opportunity to be on the ground floor of developing the Eudora Schools Foundation, he jumped at the chance. Ed then served on the Board for several years until he could see it was all up and running.

Other survivors include his children, L. Michael Grosdidier (Cheryl), Sue Grosdidier, Scott Grosdidier, Megan Luttrell (Mark), all of Lawrence; five grandchildren, Jill Dodge (Mark) Eudora, Jamie Cigich (Chris) Bonner Springs, John Grosdidier, McPherson, Madison and Olivia Luttrell, Lawrence; four great-grandchildren, Cara Dodge, Dylan Dodge, Henry Cigich and Wyatt Cigich. He is also survived by his sister, Rita Westerhaus. Eudora and brother Cletus (Mary Eileen), Eudora, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother and sister-in-law, Norbert and Margaret Grosdidier.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Eudora Schools Foundation, Willow Domestic Violence Center or Holy Family Catholic Church and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.