Edwin Eddie H. Baasch

Edwin Eddie H. Baasch, 91 of Grand Island formerly of Cairo, died Friday, May 13, 2016 at CHI Heath St. Francis, Grand Island.



Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 16, 2016, at Cairo United Methodist Church, Cairo with the Rev. Cathryn Love officiating. Burial will be in Grand Island Cemetery, Grand Island, NE. Visitation hours will be 4-8 p.m. Sunday, May 15, 2016 at Cairo United Methodist Church, Cairo with family greeting friends from 4-6 p.m. Memorials are suggested to Cairo United Methodist Church, Cairo Senior Center or Cairos Roots Museum. Apfel Funeral Home is caring for the family.



Edwin Henry Baasch was born February 17, 1925 in Cairo, Nebraska the son of Alfred & Ingrid (Andreasen) Baasch. He grew up in Cairo, graduating from Cairo High School with the class of 1943. He entered the United States Navy, June 29, 1944 serving in North Atlantic and later in the South Pacific where his ship was struck by a Kamikaze plane. He was honorably discharged June 4, 1946.



He was united in marriage to Bernice A. Schultz, December 30, 1949, at her parents home in Cairo. The couple made their home in Cairo where he worked with his father in the blacksmith shop, known as Baasch & Sons Welding where he later owned and operated. They lived in Cairo for 87 years before moving to Grand Island. While a resident of Cairo he served 16 years on Cairo City Council, mayor of Cairo, was instrumental in the citys paving project, building of the fire station and the new water supply system in town.

He was a member of Cairo United Methodist Church, Cairo, Eagles Club, Elks Club, Masonic Lodge, Platt Duetsche Society and the American Legion.



Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Bernice A. Baasch of Grand Island, son, & daughter-in-law: Bruce & JoAnn Baasch, of Brunswick, Ohio, a niece & several nephews.