Edward Pulju 1931 – 2023

Edward “Ed” Pulju was born in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, on August 2, 1931. Shortly thereafter, the family moved to Menahga, Minnesota, which Ed would always consider home. Despite short stints in California during the 1930s and 40s, the family always returned to the Gateway to the Pines, where Ed played baseball with his brothers, earning a spot in the Lake Country Hall of Fame. He graduated from Menahga High School in 1949, and after taking classes at Compton Junior College and Bemidji State University, joined the U.S. Army. Upon completing his service, Ed attended the University of St. Thomas, wrestling and majoring in English. There he developed his love of English literature; he later balanced his fondness for the works of Charles Dickens and Charlotte Bronte with a love of silly movies, including “Dumb and Dumber” and “Christmas Vacation.” Graduating in 1956, Ed went on to become a technical writer at Honeywell and 3M, while also earning a PhD in English at the University of Minnesota. At Honeywell, he met Holly Bergstrom, who would become his wife of fifty years. The two married in 1973 and went on to have four children and six grandchildren, whom he adored.
Ed followed all local, state, and professional sports, but his favorite athletes were his kids and grandkids. He was always ready for batting practice, skating, or a game of catch. He attended countless youth baseball, hockey and soccer games, and cross-country and track meets, and among his last words were, “Any games today?”
Ed loved spending time with the family in Menahga, where he for a time held the title of oldest polar plunger before losing it to his older brother Hugo. He remained forever young, scaling the fence at the Menahga baseball field and remodeling the family cabin in his 70s, boogie boarding and chopping wood in his 80s, and playing catch and soccer with his grandchildren into his 90s.
A devoted Catholic, Ed was a member of St. Odilia’s for over forty years and his family takes comfort in knowing that he has joined his parents and his brothers Gene, Frank, and George in a better place. Ed is survived by his wife Holly; brother Hugo; children: Becky (Richard), Tess (Neil), Joe (Melissa), and Peter; and grandchildren: Cass, Ana, Mary, Charlotte, Elliott, and George.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday March 4, at 11 a.m. at St. Odilia Catholic Church, 3495 North Victoria St., Shoreview. Visitation one hour prior at the church. Private Family interment will be at St. Peter the Apostle Cemetery, Park Rapids.
Arrangements were entrusted to O’Halloran & Murphy Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.ohalloranmurphy.com3-8pd