Edmund Impens Obituary, Death – Edmund “Eddie” J. Impens, 86, of Burlington, died at home on Saturday, March 18, 2023. He was born on February 12, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, to Francis and Grace (née McElhone) Impens. He went to St. Hilary Elementary School in Chicago, St. Mary Elementary School, and St. Mary High School in Burlington. Upon graduation, he enrolled in Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. During the Mediterranean Crisis, Eddie served in the Navy for two years as a Radar Man 3rd Class. He married Patricia Dejeski on October 29, 1960, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in New Munster.
They married and moved into a home he built on Bohner’s Lake, where they lived until 1999. They moved to their new residence on Browns Lake in 2000. Eddie has spent his whole adult life working in the retail lumber industry, starting at Dardis Lumber. With the support of his two boys, he realized his dream of owning his own firm on April 1, 1988. With time, he developed Wednesday midday lunches cooked by Ed, bringing together employees, contractors, and sales agents to exchange the latest building supplies. He was a 50-year member of the Burlington Rotary Club and also served as sergeant at arms.
He was a Browns Lake Yacht Club, Burlington Liars Club, and Browns Lake Sanitary District member. Eddie was a man with a lot of interests. Eddie really enjoyed fishing in Canada and North Dakota; it’s unclear whether he preferred the fishing or the pleasant company. Ed also enjoyed judging Sunday Browns Lake Yacht Club events. He took great delight in charting the best course for the sailors. He used to enjoy golfing in the Browns Lake Golf League and bowling on the Lois Tire Shop Team on a weekly basis.
Eddie was a huge sports lover, especially of the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin Badgers. Eddie liked to travel. Most memorable were his numerous houseboat vacations with pals, when he was known as Captain Peter. The houseboat journey in France was one of his most memorable trips. What Eddie is most known for is his ability to make you laugh with his wealth of jokes especially his favorites “Ole and Lena”.
Ed’s greatest passion and accomplishment was his family. He enjoyed spending time with his family, but spending time with his grandchildren provided him the most delight. He rarely missed a sporting event and was usually the first to applaud and celebrate their victories. They were his source of pride and delight. Eddie is survived by his wife, Pat; his children, Melissa Impens, Christopher Impens, Paula (Michael) Antlfinger, and Craig (Lisa) Impens; his granddaughters, Olivia, Emma, and Grace Antlfinger, as well as Tai and Chase Impens; and his sister, Nancy Rausch. His parents, Grace and Frank Impens, and brother-in-law, Joseph Rausch, died before him.
Donations to Catholic Central High School or St. Mary’s Catholic Church are suggested. The family would like to thank Dr. Paul Webber in particular for all of his years of care for Ed. He was not only a fantastic doctor, but also a good friend. And, a special thanks to Aurora at Home Hospice. A Mass of Christian Burial will be performed at St. Mary Catholic Church on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at 2 p.m. Following Mass, full military honors will be accorded. Family and friends may pay their respects to the family at Schuette-Daniels Funeral Home on Saturday, April 1st from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.