Edwin Wooten

Edwin L. Wooten, 82, of Davenport, passed away Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at Good Samaritan Society, Davenport with his family by his side.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 23, 2021, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Davenport. Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery.  Visitation will be held 4:00-6:00 pm, Sunday, August 22, 2021, at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Davenport Schools Foundation Scholarship Program or St. Matthew Lutheran Church.

Ed was born January 13, 1939, in Loretto, Nebraska, to Evelyn F. Wooten.  He grew up on the family farm with his mother, grandmother Lida Wooten, his uncle Gus Raymond, his horse “Old Bill” and his dog, Snuffy.  He was united in marriage to Joan M. Harrifeld on December 22, 1963, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Hill, Nebraska.  They shared over 57 years of marriage.

Ed graduated from Albion High School in 1956, where he was played football, launched the debate club and delivered a commencement address.  He attended Nebraska State Teachers College in Wayne, receiving his bachelor’s degree in Education and later his master’s degree in Combined Science at the University of Mississippi in 1960. Ed was selected for the National Science Foundation Summer Institute programs, studying Biology at University of Michigan in 1971, and Chemistry at University of Maryland in 1975.

Ed was a chemist from 1965-1966 at Quaker Oats and taught at Centerville Junior College from 1966-1970.  Ed then began teaching Chemistry and Biology at Davenport Central and later Davenport North. His teaching career spanned 41 years, helping shape the lives of over 5400 students.

Ed was a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, and National Society of Sons of the American Revolution, and served with the Optimists and Lions clubs.  He was 50-year member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church where he was current council president.

Ed had a passion for genealogy and growing roses of which he would regularly make bouquets for Jo.  He loved his pipe, rocking chair, music, travel and a good book.  Above all else, he was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend.

He leaves behind his wife, Joan “Jo” Wooten; daughter Jodi (Chris) Sorensen, and grandson, Jackson of Lake Forest, Illinois; and numerous family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by a son, Jason “Jay” Wooten in 1988.