Walter B. Edin

Walter B. Edin, 79-year-old resident of Upsala, MN passed away Monday, November 2, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at Word of Life Free Lutheran Church in Upsala, MN with Rev. Brian Lunn officiating. Burial will take place at Gethsemane Lutheran Cemetery in Upsala, MN at a later date. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 P.M. on Tuesday and from 10 to 11 A.M. on Wednesday, all at the church. Caring for Walter and his family is the LeMieur Funeral Home in Little Falls, MN.
Walter Ben Edin was born on September 15, 1947, in Little Falls, MN to the late Ben and Violet (Lund) Edin, their second son. Walt grew up on his maternal family farm. The home his mother was raised in would be his home his entire life, apart from a few short years after high school. Walter graduated from Upsala High School in 1965. After high school, Walt attended Staples Technical College, earning a certification as a diesel truck mechanic. While in college, he was talked into going on a blind date by his roommate. That night he met Aleta Kolashefsky and less than a year later, on June 1, 1969, they were married. Walter and Aleta initially made their home in Hutchinson, MN, where Walt worked for IH Case building silos and later installing irrigation systems. They soon made their way back to Upsala to work on the family farm and drive milk trucks. Walt and Aleta welcomed their first daughter, Heather, in June 1971, followed by Heidi in November 1972. Walt started driving long-haul trucks in 1977, logging over 5 million miles before retiring in 2015. Deciding full retirement didn’t suit him, he started driving school bus for the Upsala School District until he lost sight in one eye in 2025, forcing his retirement. Walt enjoyed his morning coffee with his friends at Lange’s. Walt was a faithful man, attending church every Sunday that his schedule allowed, and was a charter member of Word of Life Free Lutheran Church. He loved supporting the Upsala Cardinals, attending most home games and some away. He served the town he called home as a member of the Lions Club, Upsala Community Center and the Upsala Historical Society, even serving as President for each organization. Walter was a member of the Lone Eagle Auto Club, proudly displaying his Corvette Bronze, 1968 Camaro Z28, that he purchased brand new. Walter was very proud of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Walter is survived by his daughters, Heather (William) Edin of Little Falls, MN, and Heidi (Dave) Edin of Wittmann, AZ; seven grandchildren: Robert (Chelsie) Bloch, Shawn (Corbin) Lightfield, Summer Edin, Nathan (Madison) Betterman, Sabrina (Cody Cox) Wandersee, Rebecca (Zach Hegg) Betterman, Brendan Betterman, and 7 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Aleta Edin; his parents, Ben and Violet; brother and sister-in-law, Wesley and Gladys Edin; son-in-law, Ric LaCoursiere; and nephew, Ryan Kole.