Edward A. Stern

Edward August Stern, age 76 of Goodhue, died in his home on January 29, 2026.

Ed was born on May 2, 1949 to Peggy and Ewald Stern in Springfield, Minnesota. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1967, and from Winona State College in 1971. Ed married Deborah Kinlund in 1971, and together they welcomed five children, one of them exceptional.

Ed began his 39-year teaching career in Goodhue in 1972. Over the years, he coached volleyball, basketball, softball, math league, ran the clock and emceed almost every event held at the school for most of his career. Ed’s favorite place to be was at school, especially on Friday mornings for “old guys” basketball and doughnuts. Nothing could disrupt a quiet, orderly kindergarten line in the hallway like high fives outside Mr. Stern’s room. He loved teaching, coaching, mentoring/hassling the students, and spending time with colleagues who became friends. The Goodhue Wildcats have never had a more Incredible Fan.

Ed loved people. He had a gift for making everyone feel like he had known them forever. Once you were his friend, you were family, and there was always room for you in Deb’s kitchen, even if she didn’t know you were coming. When he wasn’t at school, Ed loved fishing, hunting, gardening (not actually eating the vegetables), being the self-appointed commissioner of Wednesday night volleyball, umping softball, teaching Sunday School, and “organizing” the garage, most of which included a long break to grab a treat or visit with a passing neighbor. He enjoyed having lunch with the boys, stopping down to the C-Store to pick up some onion rings, outings with the retired guys breakfast group, peanut butter, and White Castle.

He is survived by his wife, Deborah, four daughters Heidi (Jeff) Miller of Goodhue, Brigette (Jack) Rol of Lake City, Gretel Stern of Prishtina, Kosovo, and Meta (Jon) Olson of Zumbrota, grandchildren Darby, Atticus, Rhett and Beatrix Miller, Carl, Sam and Margaret Rol, Vernon, Scarlett and Gregory Olson, honorary Stern Greg Nixon, sister Carol (Norbert) Evers, brother-in-law Bruce Kinlund, sisters-in-law Sharon Stern, Sheila (Jim) Schmitt, and Lisa (Tim) Comstock, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Cole Stern, and brother Lee Stern.

In lieu of flowers, the family will be using memorial gifts to fund accessible seating for senior citizens at the Goodhue High School gymnasium.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 8 from 1-4 pm at the Goodhue Public School - Gym 1. A memorial service will be on Monday, February 9 at 11 am, with visitation from 10-11 am, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 702 3rd Ave, Goodhue. This service will be live-streamed and available to watch at www.LundbergFuneral.com under his obituary.

LIVESTREAM INFORMATION: For those who would like to participate in Ed’s service via livestream, you can watch the service on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 11:00 am. It can be viewed by scrolling to the bottom of this page and click PLAY to begin. Please leave a message of support on our Tribute Wall to let the family know you were able to watch the service. If you are having troubles with the Livestream, the service will be available to watch later in the day.