Edwin "Ed/Eddie" Stoltenberg

Edwin “Ed/Eddie” Stoltenberg, age 90, of Fort Lupton, Colorado, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 21, 2026.

Ed was born on March 23, 1936, in Simpson, Minnesota, to William and Eleanor (Rutz) Stoltenberg. He grew up in Rochester, Minnesota on the family farm, where he attended Rochester Lutheran Parochial School, Rochester High School and Rochester Junior College. He later proudly served his country in the United States Air Force.

In 1959, he married the love of his life, Patty (Bennett) Stoltenberg. Together, Ed and Patty built a life filled with family, adventure, travel, and many wonderful memories.

The couple moved to California, where their four children were born, and Ed worked for the U.S. Forest Service. While living there, Ed also participated in and won, several times, the Placerville Wheelbarrow Race, a story that became part of the colorful collection of memories from his life.

In 1969, Ed and Patty moved their family to Colorado, where Ed worked as a heavy equipment operator/mechanic for Local 9. Later, he made his way to Alaska and worked on the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. He was a proud member of Operating Engineers Local 302 for 50 years.

Over the years, Ed and Patty called many places home, including New Mexico, Hawaii, California, Alaska, and Colorado. They also enjoyed spending time in Arizona as snowbirds. Wherever life took them, Ed appreciated the outdoors and the beauty around him, particularly the sunrises and sunsets over the Alaskan mountains.

Ed loved fishing, mining for gold, and most of all, spending time with his family. One of his favorite Alaska stories came with considerable proof: the tail of a 262-pound halibut he caught and proudly displayed.

Ed is survived by his beloved wife, Patty; his four children, Connie Bradford of Anchorage, Alaska; Ed and Vanette Stoltenberg of Palmer, Alaska; Pam and Mark Heiberger of Hermosa, South Dakota; and Ernie and Ericka Stoltenberg of Chugiak, Alaska, 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, his sisters, Sylvia Chipman and Delores Kenning; and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, William and Eleanor Stoltenberg; his mother and father-in-law, Evelyn and Harold Moreland; his father-in-law, Byrl Bennett; his sister, Katie Stoltenberg; his brother, Herbert Stoltenberg; his nephew, Blaise Stoltenberg; Joel Ondler; aunts Hertha and Clara Rutz; and other loved ones who went before him.

Ed will be remembered for his love of family, his adventurous spirit, his years of hard work, and a life filled with experiences worth retelling for generations to come.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00pm on October 17, 2026, at VFW Post 4331 in Arvada, Colorado.

Ed will receive military honors on June 18, 2027, at Fort Richardson National Cemetery in Anchorage, Alaska