Edwin Hastings Luikart

Edwin Hastings Luikart met his Lord and Savior on June 12th, 2022,  just two days short of his 90th birthday. Edwin was born June 14th, 1932, in Omaha, Nebraska. The Luikart family lived in Lincoln and then moved to Sioux City in 1947 and established Luikart Insurance Agency. Edwin graduated from Central High School in 1950. He attended Yankton College, and then graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1954 with a bachelor of science in History.  He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. After graduation from college, he went to the naval officer's candidacy School.

After receiving his Naval Commission in San Diego, he served at the Langley Point Naval Base in Luzon, Philippines, where he was a crypto officer. Edwin handled top-secret communications between the Pacific Fleet and the Pentagon. He did not share with his family what he did for the United States Navy until a few years ago. He will be remembered as a loyal officer who could transcribe and protect sensitive military information.

After returning from the Philippine Islands, he stayed active in the Naval Reserve until 1979.

He stayed active in the United States Navy and was a commanding officer of the United States Naval Surface Division in Sioux City, Iowa. He would go on active duty every year for the Navy and retired as Lieutenant Commander in 1979.

Edwin's mother, Minerva, taught for Sioux City Public Schools. She set him up on a blind date with her school's vocal music teacher. Edwin and Nancy Conway were married on Feb 3rd, 1963, at Crescent Park United Methodist Church and were married for 41 years. Nancy Luikart was a well-known music teacher and vocalist in the community, and Edwin enjoyed hearing her perform.

He was a member of the retired Reserve Naval Officers Association, a member of the Trion Lodge, a member of the VFW Post 1973, and the Siouxland Rental Association. He was a member of the independent insurance agents of Iowa. He enjoyed attending Nebraska football games and helping the coaching staff with recruiting leads and information.

Edwin was a founding member of Christ the King Anglican denomination. He helped pioneer Saint Stephen's the Martyr Anglican Church with his best friend and beloved Father Robert Ponec. He enjoyed fishing at the beloved family Cottage in Nestor Falls, Ontario.

Edwin is preceded in death by his wife Nancy, his father Gordon Luikart, his mother Minerva Hastings, his older brother Gordon and his sister-in-law Mary Katherine.

Edwin is survived by his daughter LeAnne  (Grant) Freesemann and son Dr. Gordon Hastings Luikart; grandchildren  Jenava (Sean) Ostrander of Houston, Texas; Josiah (Gabrielle) Freesemann of Lowell, Arkansas; Brayden Luikart; and Madyson Luikart; great-grandchildren Logan Ostrander, Levi Ostrander; and Luke Freesemann.

Leanne Freesemann is a school teacher with Epic Charter Schools in Oklahoma, and Dr. Gordon Hastings Luikart is a conservation genetics professor at the University of Montana bio station in Polson, Montana.

Edwin enjoyed and supported his children as they pursued their interests and academic goals, and will be remembered as a loving and supportive father.   Edwin loved to play with his children, nieces, and nephews. The” Claw” will always be credited with making the family holidays fun.

When Edwin's wife Nancy passed away in 2004, a scholarship foundation was formed in her name. Every year, one or two scholarships have been given to local Siouxland High School students studying music or music education. . The Luikart family is asking in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Siouxland Community Foundation in honor of Nancy Luikart at 505 5th St #412, Sioux City, IA 51101.  Scholarships have been given every year for the past 17 years.

Special thanks are offered to the outstanding hospice nurses and caregivers with River Cross Hospice and Cereau Medical Resort and the Tulsa VA. In addition, the family would like to thank the men who attended the men's Bible study who made such a lasting impact on Edwin's Life.

Graveside services with full military honors will be Friday, July 1^st, at 11:00 am at Memorial Park Cemetery, 6605 Morningside Avenue, Sioux City, IA. www.stanleysfuneralhome.com