Edwin Nehls

Edwin "Eddy" Walter Nehls 88 of Groton passed away peacefully March 8, 2023, surrounded by his family. Mass of a Christian Burial will be 11:00 am, Friday, March 17, 2023 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Groton with Father Gregory Tschakert officiating. The burial will be at Groton Union Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm at Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel on Thursday, March 16, 2023 with the family being present 5-7pm. A prayer service with memory sharing will be at 7pm. Eddy was born February 27, 1935, to Henry "Hank" & Mary Dwyer Nehls in Groton, SD. Eddy grew up and attended school in Groton. He graduated from Groton High School in 1953. He met the love of his life, Virginia Fulker and they were married on September 18, 1955. Eddy was a loving husband of 67 years, a father to 5 children, a grandfather to 17 grandchildren, and a great-grandfather to 32 great-grandchildren. He spent his life living in Groton. Eddy was actively involved in the community by wearing many hats. He served as Groton City Councilman for 8 years and was elected as Groton Mayor from 1973-1979. Eddy served as Groton Police Chief from 1981-1995 and continued acting as police officer for 2 more years after that. After retiring from the police department, he and Virginia stepped in the role of cemetery caretakers, along with being in charge of the ice-skating warming house. The two continued to care for the Groton City Park from 1997-2014. Eddy also volunteered with the Groton Fire Department for 38 years with many of those years as Fire Chief. He was also an active member of the Groton Rescue Squad throughout his years. Eddy enjoyed many hobbies and activities throughout his lifetime. He was an avid snowmobile and stock car racer spending many weekends with friends and family traveling to numerous races. Eddy enjoyed hunting and fishing and always had many stories to tell about these adventures. He loved being busy from owning and operating the Eddy's Sinclair, the Groton Farm Store, Eddy's Towing Service, S&N Sanitation, and repairing lawnmowers and numerous bicycles for people the community. Eddy was also involved in many more ventures too numerous to mention. His greatest times though were spent with his family especially during the holidays. Eddy loved gathering with his family and his grandchildren were his pride and joy. He loved attending all their events and watching and cheering them on. He was the best storyteller sharing many stories of his life experiences with all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Eddy always ended all his stories with "We had a BigTime" Grateful for having shared Eddy's life are his wife, Virginia, and his children, Vicki (Bob) Walter, Mike (JoAnn) Nehls, Debbie (Chris) Gross, Carla (Justin) Schopp, and Kevin (Shana) Nehls along with 17 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren. Eddy was preceded in death by his parents Henry & Mary Nehls, his special aunt Pauline "Helen" Meyer, his son-in-law Glenn Sperry, and granddaughter Becky Diegel. Honorary casketbearers will be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Casketbearers will be his grandsons, Ryan Sperry, T.J Sperry, Jordan Nehls, Tyler Sperry, Austin Gross, Lane Schopp, Garret Schroeder, Evin Nehls and Ben Woodward. - Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel