EDWARD JOHN NEKALI, age 73, of Luverne, died Friday, March 4, 2011, at the Sanford Hospital in Luverne. He was born May 16, 1937, in Jamestown, ND, to Ed and Kate (Ben) Nekali. Ed graduated from Jamestown High School in 1955. He enlisted in the Army and served in the 82nd Airborne Division from 1955-1958 as a baker and cook. After the Army he moved to Luverne and helped his sister and her husband, working in their bakery. Ed also attended Nettleton College in Sioux Falls, SD. Ed married Jane Fuerstenberg on June 2, 1962 in St. Kilian. After their marriage, the couple lived in Luverne raising two sons. The couple later divorced. Ed began working for Tri-State Insurance in the late 50?s; he was an underwriter and earned his CPCU certification. During his career he worked for several companies in the insurance industry. At one point he returned to his love of baking and bought a bakery in Freeman SD which he operated for a couple years. Years later he went back to baking in Clear Lake, SD and Canby, MN. He retired in February 2002. Ed was an avid reader, enjoyed WWII history, bluegrass music, spending time with family, dog sitting Craig?s dogs, and attending his grandchildren?s hockey games and other activities. Ed is survived by his two sons, Craig (Julie) Nekali, Luverne; John (Yolanda) Nekali, Inglewood, CA; three grandsons and two step granddaughters, Nicholas & Nathan Nekali, Luverne; Zachary Nekali, Leilani Rietmann, Keyosha McDonald Inglewood, CA; and a niece, Linda (Gieseke) Kemp He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Minnie Gieseke.