Edward Ellis Pease

Edward Ellis Pease was born in Huron, SD on Friday the 13th, August 1943. He died on August 20, 2026, just days after celebrating his 83rd birthday. In between those two dates he was determined to "make a difference". And he did.

Ed was on a quest throughout his life to learn everything about everything . He was on his personal "search for meaning." From his parents Richard and Mary Pease he learned the importance of family, responsibility, and education. Growing up he learned leadership skills, team participation, and dedication. He was always on the move from playing football, earning badges in scouting, learning to play the accordion, caring for dozens of pets, delivering newspapers, and serving as an officer in school clubs and church organizations. He was a social activist right from the start by bullying the bullies on the playground and playing games with the younger kids in the neighborhood.

He was an avid reader his whole life. Reading comics as a kid, filling up many library cards, buying lots of books at used book stores, researching on the computer, and finally going through more than a book a day on his kindle. His formal education included Morningside College, Iliff School of Theology, University of Iowa Medical School, Iowa Mental Health Institute, and the University of NE Medical School. He was known for asking the most questions in every class throughout.

His siblings Charles Pease, Lela Kathka, and James Pease were his inspiration. His daughters Jane Stinson, Amy Dickinson, and Carrie Pease were the light of his life. His grandchildren Katie Dugan, Collin Dickinson, Brooklynn Abboud, Emily Dugan, Danny Dickinson, and Evie Dickinson were his source of joy and pride. Family is a gift that keeps on giving and all of the spouses, significant others, nieces and nephews, cousins, and in-laws that were brought into the fold were cherished as well. Not to mention the life-long friends who are now considered family themselves.

I met Ed 40 years ago when he was filling the pulpit at the Methodist Church in Valley. That was his part-time job and he was doing it without pay, so that the money could go to the parish apportionments and unpaid bills. We just celebrated 36 years of doing many more good deeds for others - together. My siblings Donald Haack, Paul Haack, Charles Haack, and Teri Harmon and all of their families embraced Ed's knowledge on every topic, but they did widen his knowledge base with: the fact that cards could be fun, that Dad jokes are funny and life hacks learned in the country are necessary in the city.

There is a quote that goes "When I saw something that wasn't right, I would say "somebody" should do something about that. And then I realized that I was Somebody."

As a high school Page in the SD legislature, Ed was disturbed about a bill that he thought was unfair and it had passed both the house and the senate. "Somebody should do something about that". And he met with the Governor and the bill did not go into law.

In college the civil rights movement was in full swing. When Ed learned that blacks had unfair barriers at the voting booths, he said "Somebody needs to do something about that". And he participated in the March on Montgomery.

Ed worked hard at a lot of jobs in his lifetime. But his primary career was as a psychiatrist at the VA hospital in Omaha. In 1980 PTSD was officially recognized as a mental health disorder. Treatment programs were being developed across the country but our VA did not have one. "Somebody needs to do something about that." And he went to training and started the program here.

Ed had MS for 54 years - never complaining, always determined, looking forward - not backward. For the last 10 years he was wheelchair bound and not able to get out of the house much. So "Life" came to him. I have volunteered at the zoo for 31 years and during the last years I would come home each week with a new giraffe fact for him to digest. One of the last ones was: most accredited zoos in this country have an outdoor training area for their giraffes. But we do not. "Somebody needs to do something about that."

But now it is up to us - you and I - and all of the "Somebodies" that we know to get this done for him. I have made a donation to start the building of Zola's Heartlight. A training area named after Zola, a giraffe we lost last year. Like Ed, her heartlight will be doing good for years to come. In lieu of flowers, we request that memorial contribution be made to the Omaha Zoo Foundation in support of Zola's Heartlight, a care initiative benefiting the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium's giraffes. Checks may be mailed to Omaha Zoom Foundation, 3701 South 10 Street, Omaha, NE 68107, with Zola's Heartlight noted in the memo line. Gifts can also be made online at omahazoo.com/zolasheartlight or using the following QR Code.

You may not have known Ed but maybe you benefited from something he did. You may even know a "somebody" who has benefited from "somebody" willing to step up to make a difference. Giraffe may not be your "go to" animal, but maybe you know "somebody" who learned a new fact at the zoo that sparked new inspiration. No amount is too small because little by little means big things can happen. YOU are SOMEBODY too!

We will celebrate Ed's life with a picnic lunch followed by a service on September 6th 2026. It will be held at Hoy Kilnoski Reception Center (The Warehouse: 1414 W Broadway, Council Bluffs, IA) starting at 1:00. All are welcome to come.

We will have a report from the zoo on our fundraising progress. If you would rather make a difference in another way, we suggest advocating for handicap access to buildings, putting your old books in the LittleFreeLibrary in your neighborhood, or thanking someone serving in the military. Please join us in celebrating Ed's life.
We invite you to wear a tee shirt "with a message". Choose your favorite one advocating for conservation, patriotism, kindness, etc. (no political please) Looking forward to seeing or meeting you on September 6, 2026. 

Peggy Haack Pease