Bernard L. Edmonds

Beloved Father, Dear Grandfather, and Great-Grandpa

Bernard lived a full and meaningful life. He was humble, patient and kind, often displaying playful humor with a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous grin. Bernard (August 27, 1921 - June 1, 2017), son of Oliver and Anna Bell Edmonds, began early life on a farm near McLouth, KS, where he learned about hard work and resilience. His patriotism, love of airplanes and desire for adventure led to four years of service in the Coast Guard during WWII, piloting a PBY Catalina "flying boat" on patrol along the West Coast, hunting for submarines and air-sea rescue missions. After the war, he married Eunice Morios and attended college in Berkeley, CA, earning his degree in landscape architecture. Bernard's career took him briefly to Oshkosh, WI and to the Minneapolis Parks Department. He worked eighteen years for the St. Paul Parks Department, first as a landscape architect and lastly as Superintendent of Parks. During that time, Bernard earned a Masters Degree in Parks & Recreation Administration from the University of MN. He served thirteen additional years as the Director of Ramsey County Parks, pioneering the Open Space Program. With his determination and visionary leadership, he preserved over 8,000 acres of land for Ramsey County Parks. Envisioning a park system that connected water corridors as trails, he purchased land before it could be developed for strip malls and housing. Bernard and Eunice were married for 64 years. She preceded him in death in 2010. He is survived by three children: Jeffrey (Kathryn) Edmonds, Patricia (Don Swanson) Edmonds, and Susan (Mark) Oswald, nine grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. Bernard and Eunice traveled the world but also enjoyed the simple pleasures of home. He loved mowing grass and growing vegetables, flowers and rhubarb. He especially enjoyed summer gatherings in his beautiful back yard, followed by sitting around a fire. Bernard was always there for his family, offering love, support and a generosity of spirit. His life was an example of what is really important in life. He has given us a lasting legacy. Special thanks to Jill Schoenecker of Hospice East and the staff of St. Therese of Woodbury. Memorials to Como Friends, proceeds towards a plaque to be installed at the Como Conservatory. Service of Remembrance 1PM Thurs. 6/8/17 at St. Therese of Woodbury, 7555 Bailey Rd., Woodbury with a gathering of family and friends 1 hour prior. Interment Union Cemetery, Maplewood, MN.