Ed was born July 2, 1937 in rural Madison County, Iowa to Elmer and Thelma Coffman. He graduated from Winterset High School in 1955. On October 10, 1957 he married Gayla Tyer. Together they had three children: Connie, Kent and Susan.
Ed worked at Farm Bureau, starting in 1957 until he retired in 1997 as Vice President of Technical Services. After retiring, Ed and Gayla spent their winters in Arizona so they could play golf year-round. He was a charter member of Valley United Methodist Church, where he served on many boards and committees and he was a long-time member of Urbandale Golf and Country Club. He was also an avid fan and supporter of Iowa State, where all three of his children and many of his grandchildren attended.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, and his son-in-law Woody Smith.
Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Gayla; his children, Connie (Bruce) Allen, Kent Coffman and Sue Smith; grandchildren, Rob and Katie Allen; Brody, Bennett (Ally) and Jocelyn Coffman and Jake, Henry and Addie Smith; step-grandchildren, Jessie (Tim) Pattrin and Kate (Nic) Simmons, and their children, Mikenna, Kaytlyn, Ava and Austin; his brother Don (Eunice) Coffman; his sister Sandra (George) Wagner; and a large extended family.
Visitation with the family will be Friday, March 2nd from 5 pm to 7 pm. The funeral will be Saturday, March 3rd at 10:30 am. Both will be held at Valley United Methodist Church at 42nd and Ashworth in West Des Moines.
Memorial contributions may be made to Valley United Methodist Church.
