Ed Brodersen, 87, passed on December 1st, 2022 after a year of living at The Forum in Tucson, Arizona. He always told us how much he enjoyed it and we are grateful for the loving caregivers who meant so much to him.
Ed was born in Clinton, Iowa to Edward and Ethel Brodersen. While growing up he participated in Boy Scouts, the YMCA and delivered papers for the Clinton Herald. Upon his High School graduation, he attended the University of Iowa, joined the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity along with lifelong friend Terry Jorgensen, and met Bruce Gebhardt, who would also become his closest friend. It was Bruce who convinced Ed to drive he and a friend to John Day Oregon for a summer job with the US Forest Service, a job he loved and told many wonderful stories about.
In February 1956 Ed returned to the West Coast with Terry and his brother to work at Bank of America in Los Angeles. After leaving the bank, he entered the service industry delivering milk for Carnation and pies for Bowie Pies. It was during this time he met and married Carol. Shortly thereafter he was shipped to Korea to serve in the Army. Upon returning Ed started a family and was an incredibly successful salesman for Interstate Restaurant Supply Company.
Ed was always an adventurous and curious man constantly wanting to see what was around the next corner. This led him to spend his summer vacations taking the family on camping and motorcycle trips all over the Western United States and Baja California.
Ed, Carol and family moved to Thousand Oaks in 1975 where he started Carekleen Carpet and Upholstery Company, which was sold when they retired and became full-time RVers. Again the bug for travelling, making new friends and seeing as much of the US as they could, took them to places like Mount Rushmore, the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Washington on the Brazos Texas, Jackson Hole Wyoming, and Kartchner Caverns Arizona.
Settling at the SKP Park in Benson Arizona allowed Ed time to work on one of his greatest passions, his outdoor garden railroad. He spent untold hours creating the layout, designing and hand building every structure, and naming them after special friends and family. His layout was the hit of the park, often attracting visitors. His replica of the Benson Train Station is on display at the Benson Visitor’s Center, thanks to Frank, fellow train enthusiast and beloved UPS delivery person.
Ed’s love of people, animals, sense of humor and gift of storytelling will be missed. He leaves behind his wife, Carol, daughters, Denise Brodersen of Sunnyvale, CA and Vicki Carrion of Camarillo, CA as well as grandchildren, Hailiee Carrion and Justin Culpepper.
The family will have a private ceremony to spread his ashes in the Spring. In honor of Ed please consider donations to The Humane Society, Alzheimer’s Association, or a charity of your choice.
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