Edna went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 11, 2022.
Edna was born on November 18, 1927, in Broken Bow, Nebraska to James Earl (Pat) Reed and Nancy Armenta (Ditson) Reed. Her father who was born on June 3, 1887, to Frank and Amy (Jacobson) Reed, passed away on June 29, 1937, when Edna was only 10 years old.
Her mother Nancy was born on May 24, 1894, in Fairfield, NE to William and Mary Jane (Campbell) Ditson, passed away on April 24, 1986, in Grand Island, NE.
Edna was the seventh of ten children – all are deceased. They were Audrey, Louise, James, Robert, Harlen, Hellen, Edna, Norma Lois and Wilma.
Edna started working at a very young age, first baby sitting and then working in a creamery, candling eggs. She went to work at the Lewis Café at the age of 14 and worked there until she was 15 years old. Edna started working at the Holcomb’s Drug store until the second semester of her junior year, when the family moved to Valentine. She worked in the confectionary until school was out and then they moved to Gordon where she graduated high school in 1946. She worked at the Thompson Drug store and continued to work there for a total of 4 ½ years.
Edna married Benjamin H Schaer on October 3, 1948, in O’Neil, Nebraska. They moved to the farm south of Gordon after they were married. To this union were born three children, Teala Rose, Benny Lee and Verla Sue.
Edna was baptized, confirmed and became a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Gordon on June 25, 1950. She taught Sunday school and was a member of the Ladies Aide.
Edna owned and operated a floral shop in Rushville, Edna’s Flowers and Gifts for 11 years, from 1972 until 1983. Prior to opening her shop she worked at French Flower and Gifts in Gordon, where she learned the fine art of flower arranging. After selling her business, she retired to the farm, where she raised many beautiful flowers and enjoyed gardening. She had a special fondness for the newborn calves, colts and kittens.
Edna was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, the Lone Butte Extension Garden Club, the Lucky Strike Bowling team, the Tri-State Cowgirls Association, and she served on the Sheridan County Fair Board.
Edna was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin, her parents, Pat and Nancy Reed and all of her siblings, Audrey, Louise, James, Robert, Harlen, Hellen, Norma, Lois and Wilma.
She leaves to morn her daughters: Teala Onstott and Verla Schaer; Son: Ben and wife Barbara; Grandchildren: Jennifer, Suzie and husband, Dean Harris, Chris and wife, Kimberly, Brad and friend, Brianne Wilson; Jason Onstott and wife Tonya, Justin Onstott and wife, Dawn; Nine great grandchildren and 3 great great-grandchildren, plus numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, good friends and neighbors.
Memorials will be shared with St. Jude’s Children Hospital and the Rainbow Bible Ranch, near Sturgis, South Dakota and can be sent in care of Chamberlain Funeral Home, Gordon.