Edward "Fast Eddie" Lester Wilbert

“Fast” Eddie Wilbert of Pine City died Monday (2/13/12) peacefully at his home surrounded by his family at the age of 67 years. Edward Lester Wilbert was born on March 13, 1944 in Minneapolis to Daniel and Dorothy Wilbert. At the age of three Eddie, his mother and two older brothers Jim and Daryl moved to Ross Lake Township just north of Aitkin, Minnesota where he spent his youth growing up between his grandfather’s sawmill and his uncle and aunt’s resort. Eddie loved the woods and water. He started fishing at the age of eight when he began to terrorize fish on what he called Lake X for over 50 years. Eddie always brought the fish home. As a young adult Eddie’s family moved back to Minneapolis where he worked at Twin City Arsenal and part time at Hannay’s Marine on evenings and weekends. Eddie then became a full time employee at Hannay’s. He loved working with customers and dealers throughout the Midwest. At the age of 27 his brother Jim started giving Eddie flying lessons and he moved to California where be became one of the directors for Interstate Airlines. Although Eddie loved the flying business and all the travel he realized he missed the boating business and his family back home. In 1980 after moving back to Minnesota he began working on getting back in the marine industry. In 1982 he started publishing Midwest Boat & Recreation Buyers Guide for new and used recreational products throughout the Midwest. He continued producing the guide for over 28 years. He also created Interstate Graphics which published flyers for dealers all over the United States and the Crossing Newsletter for Cross Lake Association. In the late 1980’s he moved to Pine City. Fast Eddie was involved in numerous activities throughout the city. He is the current commander of the Legion S.A.L. in a position he has held for 15 years. He also participated in the Legion Post 51 Honor Guard. Eddie is survived by his wife Diane, sons: Dan Wilbert and wife Laurel of Shakopee, Minnesota, David Wilbert of Wood Dale, Illinois; daughters: Laura Olson and husband Ed of Eagan, Minnesota, Vikki Weiland and her husband Michael of Phoenix, Arizona, stepson Carl Heller and his wife Vickie of Duluth, Minnesota, brothers-in-law: Stuart (Vicki) Peterson, Roger Peterson; nine grandchildren and many friends. Reverend Glenn Kleppe will officiate at a memorial service for Eddie Wilbert 3:00 pm this Saturday (2/18/12) with a time of visitation two hours prior at the Swanson Chapel. Arrangements are entrusted to the: Funeral & Cremation Service of Pine City *Swanson Chapel* www.funeralandcremationservice.com