Mineral Point - Edward John Lawinger, a lifelong Mineral Point resident and farmer, passed away on March 9, 2012, at the age of 91. He was born to John and Mary (Pittz) Lawinger on August 17, 1920, at the family farm on County Trunk O, Kendall Township. Ed married Lillian Adele Kuhn on December 27, 1943. They farmed in Mineral Point for 32 years and raised 8 children.

Ed enjoyed dancing, playing cards, and traveling out west. After passing on the family farm to sons, and moving to town in 1975, Ed continued his love of the land and farming as an avid draft horseman. He enjoyed working with his draft horse teams and traveling to draft horse sales with friends, especially to Waverly, Iowa. He loved visiting the Amish farmers and watching the draft horse teams work the land. The sale of his draft horse herd was held at the Dettweiler farm near Brodhead. He also continued custom combining and farm management.

Ed was a member of St. Mary and St. Paul Parish, a member of the Knights of Columbus and served on church committees. Ed also served on the Iowa County Board.

Ed is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lillian; children John (Lois) Lawinger, Mineral Point; Barbara (John) Hogan, Uvalde, Texas; Constance (Robert) Salmon, Middleton; David (Jan) Lawinger, Mineral Point; Deborah (Jerry) Meylor, Cottage Grove; Paul (Cindy) Lawinger, Dodgeville; Marcia (James) Lorang, Cambridge; Frederick (Peggy) Lawinger, Madison; a brother, Joseph (Avis) Lawinger, Platteville; two sisters, Sister Virgine (Dorothy) Lawinger, Germantown; Virginia Lawinger, Oconomowoc; 22 grandchildren: Jeffrey, John A., Matthew, Camille, Christie, Laura, Stephanie, Kevin, Neil, Angela, Brett, Todd, Erica, Brittany, Joseph, Sarah, Noah, Adam, Grant, Quinn, Derrick, Dylan; 14 great grandchildren: Nicholas, Cassidy, Ashton, Baily, Maria, Abigail, Lucas, Samuel, Sydney, Jay, Brianne, Cody, Austin, Taylor; a sister-in-laws Marjorie MacKenzie, Milwaukee; Betty Lawinger, Mineral Point; a brother-in-law Gary (Linda) Kuhn, Janesville, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents John and Mary Lawinger, brothers Ralph and Raymond Lawinger, and one great grandchild, John Edward, and brother-in-laws Donald and Allen Kuhn.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at Ss. MARY & PAUL CATHOLIC CHURCH in Mineral Point. Fr. James Hinnen will officiate. Burial will be held in St. Mary's Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday at the GORGEN FUNERAL HOME in Mineral Point and from 10:00 a.m. until time of Mass on Tuesday at the church.

Dad, you left us on the cusp of spring when the watercress you loved so much is just coming into season. Your new season is also beginning; you have moved on to the greenest farm with the most fertile soil.