Edmond Louis Leipold, 86, of Palm Coast passed away April 28, 2014. Ed is survived by his fianc Peggy Joyce Bebee; his four children, Sharon Thorson (Kenneth), Lane Leipold (Wendy), Susan Ann Johnson, Steven Leipold (Joyce); six grandchildren, Matthew Johnson (Stephanie), Laura Johnson, David Leipold, Angelyn Leipold, Madeline Leipold, and Joe Leipold; sister, Jean Leipold Mahlberg; and brothers, Darel Leipold (LaVerna), and Lance Leipold (Hannelore). Preceded in death by wives, Wilma Elias Leipold (divorced) and Gail Walin Leipold; father, L. Edmond Leipold, and mother Gladys Huffman Leipold.

Ed was born in Nemadji, MN. Graduated from Minneapolis Washburn High in 1946. Served two years in the US Army in Japan from June 1946 to May 1948; was recalled to active duty in September 1950, and was honorably discharged in July 1951. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a BA degree in Education in June 1953 and a MA degree in 1957. He taught at Minneapolis Fulton Elementary 1953 to 1961, and he was at Bloomington Cedar Crest Elementary as a teacher and Assistant Principal for the 1961-62 school year.

In August 1962 he became the first full time Executive Director of the Hennepin Division of the Minnesota Education Association, and served in this capacity until 1966. At that time, he joined the Minnesota Education Association staff and was assigned to the Metro area and Duluth. He developed a travel program for members as well as other economic benefit programs. In 1970 he formed the for-profit corporation, Economic Services, Inc. The program expanded to include auto leasing, discount buying, insurance offerings, and an in-house travel agency.

Ed married Gail Walin in 1972. He retired from the MEA in 1987 and worked for the MEA Credit Union for four years. When Gail retired in 2000, they bought a second home in Tucson, AZ where they intended to winter. Upon Gail's death in 2002, Ed moved back to Minneapolis.

Ed met Peggy Bebee on a trip to Thailand in 2003 and a year later they became engaged in Paris, France. They have split their time between Edina, MN and Palm Coast, FL; have traveled extensively, and even so, have managed to find time to enjoy their combined 11 grandchildren.

Over the years, Ed always enjoyed travel, fast cars, hunting with his sons and his close friends-Charlie Purfeerst and Bob Black, downhill skiing until age 70 when he broke his leg, watercolor painting, and bronze casting. Ed's smile, wit and love for life will always be remembered. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Salvation Army (Ed's preferred charity).

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 11:00am at Lohman Funeral Home Palm Coast. Family will begin receiving friends at 10:00am. There will also be a Celebration of Life May 31 in Edina, MN. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Lohman Funeral Home Palm Coast.