Ed was born January 5, 1922 in Minot, ND, the son of Edward W. and Olga K. (Strommen) Brockell. He was raised in Minot, where he attended school at St. Leo's, graduating in 1939. During his years at St. Leo's, Ed earned numerous awards for excelling in sports, particularly basketball where he gained the lifelong nickname "Ace". He earned a basketball scholarship for college and played semi-pro for a time. He once played a game against the Harlem Globetrotters. Ed also played football, baseball and softball. Upon graduation Ed attended Minot Teacher's College for two years before enlisting in the United States Coast Guard on February 13, 1943. He served his country honorably during World War II until his discharge on April 13, 1946.

Ed returned to Minot, where he gained employment with the Soo Line Railroad in 1946. On April 7, 1950, Ed was united in marriage to Naomi "Toby" Harris in Minot, where they would raise a family and make their home for the next 50 years together. He continued his employment with the railroad as a warehouse freight clerk until his retirement in 1987. Naomi died August 4, 2000.

Ed was a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Minot where he taught Sunday school for a number of years, and a former member of the Des Lacs United Methodist Church. His life interests included painting, fishing, traveling, hunting, hiking, carpentry, yard work, gardening, and camping in the mountains of Montana. He also was a regular at the local pawn shops and goodwill stores. He will be deeply missed by all who shared in his life.

His loving family includes: Children, Kathy (Rodney) Lund, Minot, ND, Edward R. (Glenda) Brockell, Minot, ND and Janice (Stephen) Collins, Lakewood, CO; Grandchildren, Ian, Cara and Brittany Lund, Christine, Nicole and Kaylene Collins, and Rachelle and Heather Brockell.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Naomi Brockell, and brother, Richard Brockell.

Funeral Service: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in Faith United Methodist Church, Minot.
Visitation: Monday, August 16, 2010 from 2-6 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Family Service: Monday, August 16, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Faith United Methodist Church Food and Clothing Pantry Ministry.