Edwin "Ed" Depner

Edwin Martin Depner

December 5, 1925 – December 5, 2025

Edwin Martin Depner passed away on December 5, 2025, on his 100th birthday in Tualatin, Oregon surrounded by his family. Ed was born on December 5, 1925, in Billings, Montana to Martin Arnold Depner and Katherine Victoria Gerber Depner. He was one of nine children. Ed proudly served his country during World War II, enlisting in the United States Navy on April 28, 1943, in Bremerton, Washington. He was stationed aboard the USS Shamrock Bay, an escort aircraft carrier, where he served as a Machinist’s Mate Second Class, repairing aircraft in support of the war effort. After returning home from the war in 1946, Ed became the first football coach of Billings Central Catholic High School, leading the team to a 5-2-0 record in its inaugural season. He worked in the family shoe shop until he sold his share to his brother, Art after which he spent many years selling shoes for Endicott Johnson and retiring after a long and dedicated career. On November 29, 1947, Ed married Bernadette Mary Durbin. Together they raised six children, including two sets of twins and shared many years of family life until her passing on June 23, 1983. On May 7, 1988, Ed married Dorothy M. Violette in Redmond, Washington. A devout Catholic, Ed lived his faith through service to family, church, and community, and remained steadfast in his beliefs throughout his life. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings including Helen Augusta Depner Nordlund, Arnold Martin Depner, Earl George Depner, Gladys Mae Depner, Arthur Louis Depner, Sister Mary Dolores Depner, Rita Roselee Anne Depner Leader, his wife Bernadette Mary Depner, his second wife Dorothy M. Violette, his son Deacon John Patrick Depner, and his granddaughter Katie Depner. He is survived by his sister Patricia Depner Gomm and his children, Michael Edwin Depner (Barbara) of Billings, Montana, Barbara Jean Depner Minter (Michael) of Shawnee, Kansas, Mary Kathryn Depner Anderson of Spokane, Washington, Mark Joseph Depner (Dawn) of Oregon City, Oregon, Joan Marie Depner Egland (Brian) of Elk, Washington, and his daughter-in-law, Frances Otto-Depner of Escondido, California. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Ed will be remembered for his dedication to family, faith, country, hard work, and for the quiet strength and integrity with which he lived his long and full life.