Edward Earl Husmann

Ed was born in Schuyler Nebraska on Aug 6, 1931, the middle son of five boys born to George and Mildred Husmann. The boys helped their dad farm while he was doing carpentry in the neighboring communities and rode horses to school when the snow was too deep or the Model A broke down. Ed graduated high school in Ogallala Nebraska in 1949 as a two year letterman for the Ogallala Indians. He walked on and gained a football scholarship at the University of Nebraska earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business. Starting both offensive and defensive line, Ed garnered the Tom Novak Trophy his senior year in 1953. Fifty years later he was inducted into the University of Nebraska Football Hall of Fame.

Ed met the love of his life, Donna June Peterson, on a blind date and they married on Aug 17, 1952. They enjoyed 65 years together with their expanding family of two sons, five grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren with another on the way.

Ed and Donna loved their church and modeled faithful service for their sons David and Greg. The family supported construction, landscaping, and custodial services at the church while attending and worshiping regularly. After moving to Oak Ridge North in 1971, they joined with the newly established family at Lord of Life Lutheran Church. Ed was a great leader for both his family and his football teams.

“Big Ed” played eleven seasons in the NFL: five with the Chicago Cardinals (1953-‘59; bracketing two years of service in the US Army), one with the Dallas Cowboys (‘60), and five with the Houston Oilers (‘61-‘65). He finished 2nd in the MVP voting for the 1961 AFL Championship game, a rare accomplishment for a defensive lineman. Ed’s leadership was recognized when his teammates elected the three-time AFL All Star as team captain of the Oilers for four years straight (‘62-‘65). He played his final year in the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimos.

Ed & Donna never missed their sons’ Little League baseball games but his heart for service also led him to be the equipment manager and serve on the Little League board. After football, Ed sold life insurance for NML and became even more active in the community. He helped start the South Main Mustangs team in the F.U.N. football league and was the first head coach.

Ed and Donna loved their grandchildren. While Donna bought antiques at garage sales, Ed bought bicycles so he could take all of the grandchildren on bicycle adventures when they came to visit. He always made sure Santa came to the house when the grandkids were there at Christmas. While he was still able, Ed tried to take each great-grandchild to dinner on their birthday. He will be greatly missed.

Preceded by: wife - Donna June, parents - George and Mildred, and brothers - Art and Paul.

Survived by: brothers - Richard and Ernie

Son and family; David & Karen: Angie & James Ebrey, Madeline, Lily, Hallie; Kristin & Brandon Fisher, Carly, Zach, Elise, Abigail; Bonnie & Alex Seydler, Seth, Simon

Son and family; Greg & Sandra: Stephen and Leah Husmann, baby girl due Feb.; Jordan & Kimberly Husmann, Loretta.

Funeral services are set for Sunday, September 9, 2018 at 3:00pm at Lord of Life Church, 3801 S. Panther Creek Dr., The Woodlands, TX 77381 with a visitation starting prior to service at 1:30pm. A committal service will be held on Monday, September 10, 2018 at 3:00pm at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home & Cemetery at 18000 I-45S, The Woodlands, TX 77384.

Donations maybe sent to Lord of Life Church in honor of Ed Husmann.