CHICAGO — Edward Alistair Visel, 36, of Chicago, died March 11, 2024, in his hometown of rural Winnebago, IL after a sixteen-month experience of pancreatic cancer. Born July 30, 1897, Edward was the youngest of five children. He loved playing soccer and was an Eagle Scout; he was a loyal friend. The local forest preserve, Severson Dells, was dear to his heart. The valedictorian of his high school class, Edward went on to study Philosophy at Pomona College, spending part of his studies at the Sorbonne in Paris. He took an active interest in politics, and at various times worked on the campaigns of several candidates, including that of President Obama. He spent a year teaching English in Japan, then taught test preparation for Kaplan in Washington, DC for several years before teaching himself coding and moving into data science work in Chicago. A cerebral contemplative at heart, Edward loved looking for patterns in the world. From his youngest years Edward took good food very seriously, and he always knew how to make a recipe better. He had plans to co-author a recipe book with his mother on how beginners might cook good food using simple ingredients.
He leaves behind his parents, Gloria and Gerard Visel, siblings Maresa (Rob Boeke), Dan (Kim), Sr. Jeana, OSB, and John (Lauren), nieces Alisa, Harriet, and Flora, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and many friends.
A funeral mass was held Friday, March 15, 2024 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Rockford. Burial held in Winnebago Cemetery, Winnebago, IL. Memorials may be made to Severson Dells Nature Center. A memorial mass will be held at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Old Town, Chicago at a later date. To share a memory or a condolence, please visit olsonfh.com.
