Edna

Spent the weekend in NW of the WI Dells - the occasion was the passing of one of my aunts. She was a month and a few days past 86. She actually died on my dad's birthday. He passed in October 2005 at the age of 82. Was more of a celebration of her life than mourning which is the way it should be, I think, except for those who die young.

She was one of 10 farm kids - three girls - you know they needed cheap labor. she went off to CA at about 15 to live with her aunt and uncle - not too excited about farming I guess - not with chores at 6 am. She was a hairdresser and found a beau and married him. They had two daughters, one of whom passed about two years ago at the age of 60 - the other took care of Edna for the last two years. Her husband died at 58 many years ago and after awhile she moved back to WI to be near her surviving siblings, including my Dad. Now there are just two left, Edna's twin brother and a younger sister.

Edna was the oldest of the twins, I found out this weekend, by about 20 minutes. Her brother just quit dying his hair black about six months ago - it was strange to see him with gray hair. I'm guessing that her life was pretty basic, but she had a great sense of humor and was fun to be around. she adored her girls and their kids. She could needle my dad, which was a little unusual as he intimidated most folks around him. A couple years ago I took her and my dad out for dinner along with a few other relatives and it was a gas. Dad was trying to tell her something but wasn't making much sound since he had had some injury to his vocal cords during a recent surgery, and Edna had hearing aids. Finally, she said in a loud voice, "We're a fine pair, you can't talk and I can't hear!"

Did learn a lot more about the family from the surviving brother and sister - dad really never told me that much. I think he was trying to forget. Not the best childhood, and he probably was verbally abused by his dad - and use of the belt as a correctional tool also.

Anyway, I'll miss her (only a fraction though of what her family does). She did look good, as the old line goes - my cousin said that the undertaker did a very good job.

At the visitation on Saturday, there was a lot of talking and visiting going on as some of us only see the others at these types of occasions. I wonder if she could hear from where she's at - where is her spirit at?

I wished I would have volunteered speak at her funeral and just say a little bit about my experiences with her over the years, but I didn't think of it soon enough - this came up quickly as she died Wednesday. I spoke at my dad's funeral, although I had to color his picture quite a bit rosier than it really was. I think people understood. Anyway, the Lutheran Church is just a little stodgey, and I don't think the minister would have too excited. Someone should have told some personal anecdotes about her - she would have liked that, I think.