Earl D. Mannie, age 88 of Waseca died Sunday, November 16, 2008, at Lake Shore Inn in Waseca.

Born in Waseca, Minnesota on September 12, 1920, he was the son of Henry and Emma (Anderson) Mannie. He attended Waseca Central High and began working with the CCC at the age of 16. Earl married Iona Ruby Calkins on December 11, 1941, in Madison, WI. Earl joined the U.S. Army during WWII and served with the Rangers 2nd Batt. D Co. where he fought in the Invasion of Normandy on Omaha Beach and in the Battle of the Bulge. Following his discharge, Earl was employed as an engineer with the Chicago Northwestern Railroad for 37 years, retiring in 1982. He also volunteered as engineer for the North Freedom Railroad Museum in Wisconsin Dells. Earl enjoyed deer hunting and braiding rugs. He had braided rugs as gifts to persons residing in all 50 states and military stations in various parts of the world through his association with the WWII Army Ranger reunions.

Earl was a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Waseca, the Waseca VFW and American Legion, and the Odd Fellows.

He is survived by three children, Sonja Diederich of Darwin, MN, Steven and Rebecca Mannie of Arlington, TX, and Robert and Cheryl Mannie of San Diego, CA; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He is also survived by one sister, Joan and Bill Matheny of Apple Valley, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Iona in 2005, and one sister-Betty Kraupa.

Visitation will be held at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 from 4-7 PM and continue on Thursday, one hour before services at the church.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, November 20, 2008, at 11:00 A.M. at Faith United Methodist Church in Waseca with Rev. Neil Westby officiating. Burial will follow at Woodville Cemetery in Waseca.