Edward A Faas

Edward (Ed) Albert Faas age 81, died peacefully on February 28, 2025, at Mayo Hospital in La Crosse Wisconsin after a brief hospitalization. Ed was born on October 2, 1943, to Harold and Bernette (Schubert) Faas in Mishawaka Indiana. In 1960, Ed’s parents moved to the Stoddard area, raising their two sons and two daughters. Ed attended Holy Trinity and St Thomas More grade schools, Aquinas High school, played with the Blue Stars Drum and Bugel Corps, and studied Art at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. Ed had a great many interests including history, antiques, trains and cars. As a teenager, Ed once saw the top of a Model-A Ford sticking out of the ground while passing a farmer’s field. Inquiring, the farmer sold Ed the car for $50 with the stipulation that he dig it out of the ground and haul it away. With a great deal of work and help from a friend, he got that car running again and had it throughout his life.

However, the foremost of Ed’s passions was his love of music, which greatly influenced the path of his life. Ed began his musical career in the La Crosse area with his future wife, Rusty. They first met when Rusty worked at Rudy’s A&W Drive-in. He got out of the car with his friends, she saw him, and his legs, and that was it. The duo played at multiple clubs throughout the Midwest and were a staple at the Cerise Club in La Crosse. They also performed the first Folk Mass at the Cathedral in downtown La Crosse and Ed both played and sang accompaniments at Coulee Records. Ed joined the United States Army in 1966 and was stationed at Böblingen in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. On October 15, 1966, Ed married the love of his life, Ruth (Rusty) Burand in Germany. In addition to his service in the United States Army, Ed and Rusty continued their entertainment career, playing at concert halls throughout Germany, as well as traveling extensively in southern Germany and Switzerland.

Ed was an exceptional music arranger and played the guitar and banjo. He and Rusty returned to the United States in 1968 to continue their music career, touring for the next six years. From 1974 to 1980, Ed and Rusty owned, operated and entertained at the Bar Harbor Supper Club in La Crosse Wisconsin. Ed was always quick with a joke or a story and brought joy into the lives of everyone he met. He was very much a leader, smart and clever, and not intimidated by anyone. He was always very protective of Rusty, making her life magical, where she felt he was almost too good to be true. In 1980 Ed and Rusty returned to touring the United States as Manhattan Skyline. They played at many-many clubs across the Midwest, East Coast, and Southern United States for almost fifteen years, with many appearances in St Charles Louisiana. The culmination of their entertainment career was spent mainly in the Corpus Christi, Midland and Odessa areas from 1980 to 1986, as well as Chicago from 1986 to 1993. In Texas, Ed and Rusty were fixtures at many country clubs including the Petroleum Club and the City Club.

Ed and Rusty returned to La Crosse in 1994, still playing at select venues. In addition to his extensive music career, Ed also taught music at Leithold’s in downtown La Crosse and worked at both Walgreens and the United States Postal Service. Ed was a proud member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 52.

Ed is survived by his wife Rusty of 58 years, brother Garry (Jacie) Faas, sisters Linda (Lawrence) Koblitz, and Patricia (William) Bakalars, brothers in-law Anthony (Kimberly) Burand, Clary (Sandra d.) Harris, nieces Laurie Croasdale, Cassie Helgeson, Shelle Noben, nephews, Jeff Koblitz, Mark Koblitz, Vince Mailey, Louis Bakalars, Charles Bakalars, Frankie Bakalars, Anthony Burand Jr., Jonas Burand, Dalton Terpstra, Nathanael Terpstra, and many grandnieces, and grandnephews. Ed was preceded in death by his Mother and Father, Mother and Father in-law Larene and Erwin Burand, sister in-law Sandra (Burand) Harris, and nephews Mark Terpstra and Jon Terpstra.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday March 10, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Mary Mother of the Church 2006 Weston St, La Crosse, WI 54601. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM at the church prior to the ceremony. A luncheon at the church will immediately follow the Mass.

Ed will be buried with military honors and the rite of committal at the Catholic Cemetery in La Crosse Wisconsin. Escorting Ed to his final resting place will be pallbearers Jeff Koblitz, Mark Koblitz, Louis Bakalars, Frankie Bakalars, Anthony Burand Jr., and Jonas Burand.

The family extends their gratitude to the doctors, nurses and all the staff at Mayo Hospital in La Crosse. During this difficult time, Ed received the best of care from the kind and compassionate professionals at Mayo. The family wishes to express their sincere thanks to everyone involved in Ed’s care, and the kindness that was shown to the family.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to Wisconsin PBS Television, Mayo Health System La Crosse, or to a charity of your choice in Ed’s memory.