Edward Joseph Axtman
Feb. 13, 1931 – Feb. 11, 2021
Edward Joseph Axtman,
89, Rugby, died at the
Heart of America Medical
Center in Rugby on
Thursday, February 11,
2021, just 2 days short of
his 90th birthday. Ed was
born on February 13, 1931
in Rugby, North Dakota to
Rochus Roy and Anna
Marie Scherr Axtman. He
was raised in the Balta
area and went to school
there. He entered the
United States Army in
January 1955 and was
honorably discharged in
January 1957. He was
once married to Alice Bet-
ty Koble, who he married
on October 1, 1957 in Or-
rin. They farmed in Balta
Township until they
moved into Balta in 1966
and operated the South
Balta Bar for a short time.
Ed worked on the road
building crew for Pierce
County for several years.
Mr. Axtman worked at
Rugby Manufacturing for
a while until he started
his best loved work as a
custodian for the Rugby
School District at Ely Ele-
mentary School. It was a
mutual enjoyment
between him and the stu-
dents. He retired in
1996. He had been a
member of the Fraternal
Order of Eagles Aerie #
3834 and the Knights of
Columbus Council # 4136
in addition the Little
Flower Catholic Church
in Rugby. Always tinker-
ing with engines and
machines he was the own-
er of over 60 vehicles and
documented each one of
them. In in his retire-
ment years he enjoyed
making items of wood and
assembling picture puz-
zles. He had a great
fondness for his grand
and great grandchildren
and even youngsters that
were not even related to
him. His friends will also
remember his talent on
the accordion and organ.
Mr. Axtman is survived
by his children, Richard
– Deerfield, Wisconsin
and Peggy and her hus-
band Kirby Harmel – Rug-
by. In addition he leaves
8 grandchildren and 3
great-grandchildren.
Brothers David – Fair-
view, Montana, Ronald –
Moorhead, Minnesota,
and Timothy – Franklin,
Wisconsin will miss their
brother. He was preced-
ed in death by his
parents, a son, Mark in
2017, a grand-daughter,
Sierra in 2002 and a
daughter-in-law, Lynn
Larson in 2017, in addi-
tion to brothers, Adam,
Daniel, Leo and sisters,
Ada Black, Caroline Ebach
and Francis Schmaltz.
Funeral Services were
held at the Niewoehner
Funeral Home on Tues-
day, February 16. 2021 at
2:00 P.M. Friends could
call after 11:00 Tuesday
until the time of the ser-
vice. Burial will take
place in the spring at the
Little Flower Catholic
Cemetery with military
honors provided by the
Clarence Larson Post #
23 American Legion and
the North Dakota Military
Honors Detail.
Guests are reminded
that some restrictions still
exist for Covid – 19 and
should be aware of these
restrictions.
Online tributes at
www.niewoehnerfh.com
Niewoehner Funeral
Home – Rugby
701- 776-6222
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