Edwin J. Waligora

Edwin J. Waligora, 89, was peacefully called home to be with his heavenly father on Saturday, September 13, 2025, in Davenport, Iowa

Ed’s services will take place at St. John Vianney Catholic Church located in Bettendorf. A visitation will be held on Friday, September 19, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 20. A luncheon for family and friends will follow in the church hall. Cremation will take place following services at Trimble Crematory, Moline, Illinois, under the direction of Trimble Funeral Home, with a private burial. Memorials may be made to St. John Vianney Catholic Church.

Edwin James Waligora was born June 16, 1936, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Stanley and Mary (Miklavcic) Waligora. As a young man, Ed grew up in the Burlington, Iowa area. He attended Burlington High School, graduating in 1954. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Sue Samuelson. After high school, he earned his bachelor’s degree in music from the University of Iowa and later received a master’s degree in education from Western Illinois University.

On June 30, 1956, Ed married his soul mate, Sue Samuelson, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Burlington, Iowa. Together they shared 69 wonderful years, building a family and a legacy of love. He was a man of profound faith, integrity and work ethic. He had a gift for helping others cultivate their talents.

Ed began his career teaching music at various schools in Iowa and Ohio. He eventually returned to Iowa where he began teaching at Grant Wood Elementary in Bettendorf and subsequently went on to serve as an administrator for the Bettendorf Community School District and principal at Grant Wood. It was during this time that he received an award on behalf of the school from then Governor Terry Branstad for Excellence in Education. He retired in 1999 after 33 devoted years of inspiring students and colleagues.

A man whose life was steeped in music, Ed served St. John Vianney as both cantor and director of the Exultate Choir for many years. His love for music shone most brightly through his trombone. As a member of the University of Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band, he proudly performed in the 1957 Rose Bowl. In later years, he played with a four-piece group, the Quadra-Tones, affectionately known to his family for their “Dance Jobs.” Ed continued to be heavily involved in music throughout his life, by teaching music lessons out of his home, co-founded the Bettendorf Park Band (est. 1967), and served as the band director for many years at Bettendorf High School.

Ed’s love of teaching extended beyond music to another lifelong passion: bowling. A member of several leagues and proud of multiple 300 games. He enjoyed bowling with his family and friends and would often offer his gentle advice to improve your technique and form.

He also found joy in the outdoors. With his father, he built the family home on an acre of land where he and Sue raised their three daughters. He was rarely happier than when tending his yard or cultivating his gardens, which overflowed with fruits and vegetables, especially the tomatoes for which he became locally “famous”. His green thumb and farmer’s tan were legendary. On autumn Saturdays, he often worked outside with his Walkman, listening to Iowa Hawkeyes games while nurturing the land he loved.

Edwin is survived by his beloved wife, Sue Waligora; daughter, Karen Darrow; grandchildren, Emily Torre, Sara Ewen, Anne Ewen, Thomas Uphoff, Rachel (Ehren) Siefers, Christopher (Jennifer) Urmy, Alec (Callie) Darrow, and Mitchell Darrow; great-grandchildren, Valentino Torre, Ellese Davidson, Roman Johnson, Jacob Jensen, Cassidy Ewen-Jones, Vaughn Urmy, Dallen Darrow, and Valli Darrow; and a sister, Barbara Carlson. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughters, Lynn Waligora-Uphoff and Beth Waligora-Urmy.

May Ed’s music continue to echo in heaven as he rests in the eternal peace of his Heavenly Father.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.