Edward John May, 94, of Adams, Minnesota, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Jan. 20, 2015.

Edward was born in Meyer, Iowa, to Aloys and Mary (Puettman) May, on May 23, 1920. Two children were born to this marriage: Clarence and Edward. When he was five months old his father died and later his mother married William Gerber who also had two children; six more children were born to this union.

Edward lived and farmed all his life in the Adams, Minnesota, area. Edward married Gertrude Frein on Aug. 1, 1945, and together they raised a family of eight children. He was a lifetime member of Sacred Heart Church in Adams. His passions were farming, playing euchre, and mowing lawn. He also enjoyed watching TV, listening to old time and country music, visiting with his grandchildren and holding his great-grandchildren. He will be fondly remembered for his quick wit, jokes, and warm hugs.

He was preceded in death by his wife Gertrude in 2013; son Kevin in 1979; his parents and stepfather; two brothers: Clarence May and Gene Gerber; two-step brothers: Ralph and Ron Gerber; and many aunts and uncles.

Edward is survived by his sons: Dan (Cheri) May, Adams, Minnesota, Jerry (Mary) May, Boerne, Texas; daughters: Sue May, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Nancy (Bruce) Brehmer, Rochester, Minnesota, Cindy (Mike) Schneider, Elkton, Minnesota, Lu Ann (Ron) Stroup, Rose Creek, Minnesota, Anne (Floyd) Halbach, Adams, Minnesota; 15 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; brothers: Stan (Stephani) Gerber, Norbert (Helen) Gerber, David (Lavonne) Gerber, Paul Gerber; and one sister, Marie (Doug) Behrenfeld.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Adams with Father Swaminatha Pothireddy officiating. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. There will be a 4 p.m. Rosary and prayer service on Thursday at the Adams Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. and there will also be visitation at the church on Thursday for one hour before the service.