Edwin Linner

Edwin "Ed" William Linner Jr., 91, passed away peacefully in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota, on December 31, 2025. Born on September 15, 1934, in Stillwater, to Edwin Sr. and Charlotte (Rolfer) Linner, Ed graduated from Stillwater High School in 1952 and earned his degree from Macalester College in 1956.

Ed measured his life in numbers, so it's only fitting to share the ones that tell his story best.

After just 1 blind date to a Gopher basketball game and house party, Ed told Lila Hert he'd marry her if things continued going this well - and they did. The pair was married for 69 years and 2 days. Ed was the proud father of the 3 'Super S' kids - Scott, Steve and Susan - who he once said turned out as close to perfect as you can get. He also had 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, who we like to think he'd describe the same.

Ed dedicated 29 years to 3M - and had enough Post-its prove it. He served as president of the local chapters of the Jaycees and American Cancer Association and was a council member of Trinity Lutheran Church. A proud 3rd generation Linner of Stillwater, he called the city home for 91 years. Ask him the top 5 things he and Lila had in common, and he said their love for family, church, camping, the Vikings, and Stillwater. We asked her for confirmation and she agrees.

Other notable numbers for Ed include his hole-in-1 at Stillwater Country Club. He spent too many hours to count on the golf course - whether he was playing a round or collecting lost balls to gift his loved ones, neatly arranged in egg cartons. In his later years, Ed woke up at 5:00 a.m. to deliver the newspaper to the residents of Oak Park Senior Living - which contributed to his daily goal of 5,000 steps. He also loved helping friends (and friends of friends) retrieve unclaimed funds from the state. His efforts recovered more than $1,000,000 for over 700 people, and he never charged a finder's fee.

Ed will be remembered for his kindness, gentle spirit, clean shave, two-hand wave, and love of Pepsi (Diet, once that love grew too strong). He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Sr. and Charlotte; children, Todd and Baby Girl; and sister, Jean. Ed's life will forever be cherished by his wife, Lila; children, Scott (Ellie), Steve (Margie), and Susan Aschenbeck (Gary); sister, Joyce Anderson; brother, Al; grandchildren, Kate, Annie, Tom, Amy, Sara, Emily, Lani, and John; and many great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 30, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater, Minnesota.

A celebration of Ed's life will be held on Saturday, January 31, at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 115 4th St N, Stillwater, MN 55082. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Please join us for a luncheon to follow.