Michael Edwards, 81, died at his home July 14, 2025, after a battle with cancer.
Celebration of Life will be at Fiksdal Funeral Service, Webster July 26, 2 p.m. Visitation is July 25, 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service July 26. Private inurnment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery later.
Michael “Mike” Edwards was born Sept. 18, 1943, in Faribault, MN, to Russell and Elizabeth (Maag) Edwards. His early years were spent in St. Peter, MN where he attended John Ireland Catholic School through eighth grade and graduated from St. Peter High School in 1961. In high school, he was a member of the audio- visual club and track team, setting school records in the 440-yard dash. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, stationed at Norfolk Naval Base. He served on the Naval Drill Team and Honor Guard. He moved to rural Le Center, MN and pursued an associate’s degree in law enforcement. He was a Le Sueur County deputy sheriff before beginning a 30-year federal career in the Twin Cities where he was security officer at Fort Snelling, investigator for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Civilian Police Chief at the Minnesota National Guard Headquarters, and with the Department of Defense and Homeland Security. He supported numerous high-profile security details, including visits from U.S. presidents, vice presidents and international dignitaries such as Mikhail Gorbachev. He also trained and collaborated with the FBI and CIA.
He married Ranae Kurtz June 26, 1994 at Murphy’s Landing, Shakopee, MN. They lived in the Twin Cities, then Dalton, MN and ultimately near Roslyn/Webster.
He enjoyed the outdoors, traveling, hunting turkeys, pheasants, deer, ducks, geese, wild boars in Texas and African game on safari. He raised hunting dogs, taught firearm safety and concealed- and-carry classes, coached trap shooting and sporting clays, and coached the Underwood, MN trap team. He mentored youth through 4-H Shooting Sports and youth hunting programs. In retirement, they spent winters in Kerrville, TX. He also enjoyed fishing, birding and was a Minnesota Vikings, Twins and Timberwolves fan. He was Ducks Unlimited district chairman for over 20 years and was a member of Delta Waterfowl, Pheasants Forever, National Rifle Association, Quality Deer Management Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and National Wild Turkey Federation.
Survivors include his wife; children, Medea and Mike Myhra, Lorraine Edwards, St. Peter; Chris Edwards and Leslie, Hastings, MN; Tracy Kurtz and Phil, Fargo, ND; four grandsons; siblings, Tom and LeeAnn Edwards, Richmond, MN; Mary and Joe Avila, Fresno, CA; Linda and Joel Olson, Englewood, CO; Brian and Maury Edwards, Manhattan, NY; many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew.