James "Ed" Manning

James “Ed” Manning, 92, of Fargo, ND, died Wednesday, July 7, 2010, at Villa Maria, Fargo, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley. James “Ed” Manning was born on October 24, 1917, in Pilot Mound, Manitoba, Canada, to Harry and Florence (McKellar) Manning. He attended Pilot Mound High School. He married Mildred Headstrom on May 24, 1943 in Grand Forks, ND. Mildred died in 1999. Ed married Bonnie Van Der Meer on June 21, 2003, in Fargo, ND. Ed served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II as a First Radio Officer and Pilot. He became a naturalized citizen in 1949. He has been a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Fargo since 1954. He served both as a deacon and a Sunday school teacher. After the war, Ed worked as a Railroad Agent for BNSF Railroad. He retired in 1980 after 39 years. He was a member of the Elks and Eagles, Great Plains Harmony, and the Barbershop Chorus and Employees Club – the Red River Rails, Air Museum and EAA. Ed’s greatest pleasures were flying, golf, fishing with his son, Jim, talking about the railroad and singing. Ed is survived by his wife Bonnie, his son, Jim (Susan) Manning of Minot, ND and Susan and Jim’s children, Steven and David Wiley and Lisa Gallagher. He is also survived by Bonnie’s sons, Robert (Janis) Van Der Meer, Athens, WI; Paul (Jamie Van Der Meer, Anoka, MN; Steven (Jane) Van Der Meer, West Fargo, ND; and daughters, Jane (Michael) Mullinax, Sea-Tac, WA; Ann (Jerry) Lynch, Kent, WA; and Susan Spight, White Bear Lake, MN; and grandchildren, Steven Mullinax; Brandon, Cody and Katie Lynch; Paul Van Der Meer; Tana Hamilton; Courtney Creason; Haleigh Earls; Bridges, Camden, and Loken Gallagher; Benjamin, Jonah and Tatien Wiley; Mason Brothers; and one great-grandchild and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. James is preceded in death by his wife, Mildred, his parents, his brothers, Orval, Gordon, Rayden, Elwood, Glenn and Wilfred and his sisters, Blanche and Ella. Celebration of Jim’s Life: Monday, July 12, 2010, at 11:00 AM, at First Presbyterian Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: One hour prior to the service at the church. Burial: Sunset Memorial, Fargo, ND.