Edwin Bernard Vogel (Ed/Eddie) passed away Sunday, November 5th after a long and brave battle against prostate cancer.  He was with family and friends.

Born February 21, 1950 to Edwin and Wilma Vogel.  By Labor Day of 1950 the family including Ed's 2 older sisters moved to a little farm in Kuna, ID from Columbus, Nebraska.  

Eddie always claimed to have grown up farming from the time he was 6 years old.  However, his sisters corrected him good naturedly saying he didn't actually work until he was in high school.  He was a born farmer through and through.  He had the innate understanding of the land and animal husbandry, it was his passion.  Others said he was a farmer that had good instincts, a good farmer.

Eddie bought his first farm on Greenhurst in 1976, got married and together with his father, farmed over 300 acres.  Over the next 10 years he and wife, Cindy had 4 children.  The marriage ended and Eddie and the children moved back to Vogel Farms with his parents.  He always claimed the best time in his life was being with his children back at the family farm.  He lived life with and for his children.  He loved that he farmed and could see his children all day long. He was actually sad when school started and they were gone for part of the day.  

They grew up on the farm working and playing very close together and vacation trips were camping on the lawn and a Sunday afternoon at Givens Hot Springs.  

When the kids were in their teens, Ed met and married Debi Engelhardt,  he a farmer, and she a project manager/business analyst with Bank of America whose parents owned the adjacent farm.  Many called it an unlikely pairing.  After a few years the farm began to evolve from mainly a hog raising operation to a more diversified niche agribusiness including a country store.  Chris Lester came along as the farm electrician, later marrying daughter, Janell.  As Vogel Farms evolved, son Ben and Tori, Janell and Chris and Debi spent countless Saturdays at the local farmers market with Ed staying on the farm.  However he couldn't stay away and did show up many Saturdays to visit with friends.  He always took time for people, never too busy to stop and say hi. 

Just when he thought things couldn't get better, here came the grandchildren and he went from being Dad to Papa Farm (designated by his first grandson, Devin, later shortened to Papa)

In 2009, Ed was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer.  He was able to continue to work on the farm throughout his treatments for the first 7 years. When he could no longer work his joy was spending time talking with Debi,   they loved their time together and he was comforted by visits from his family and friends.

Eddie was known as a kind and gentle soul, he always had a smile, always waved at others, and never was too busy to talk.  A dear friend said of him that he was the most compassionate person to all people and animals that she had ever known.  Deeply religious, his faith sustained him throughout his life and during his final 8 years. He loved his St Joes family.  One of his final goals was to have all four of the newest grandbabies baptized.  Son, Ben organized the ceremony at home with Father Vogel and it was attended by 24 family members.  Ed was overjoyed.  

Ed was always proud of the farm but his biggest pride was in his children and grandchildren.

His wife and family look forward to Ed's dream of making Vogel Farms a century farm, now with only 33 years to go and Chris Lester being the principal with the help of Debi, Chris' wife, Janell and grandsons.  

Ed is survived by his wife, Deborah Engelhardt Vogel; son, Charlie (Sarah), Rebecca and Lenore; Ben (Tori), Devin and Jared; Janell Lester (Chris) Mike, Matt, Mark; Jake (Stephanie) Landon, Nolan, Collin; sisters Mary Walker (John) Renee, Kyle; Caroline Wood (Jim).  He was preceded in death by parents, Edwin and Wilma Vogel.

The family would like to thank Compasses, especially Corina for the care given to Ed in his final weeks.  In addition, the family wants to thank Renee Harper and Tanda Kemp for so many kindnesses.

A Memorial Mass will be held Friday, November 10, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 504 Randolph Road, Melba, ID. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial contributions to the St. Joseph Catholic Church Building Fund, 505 Randolph Road, Melba, ID 83641 or to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401.  Friends may also send condolences and acknowledgements to the family at Vogel Farms.