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Edna Mae Walker passed away at the age of 94 at her home in Corning. She was born Jan. 19, 1931, in Cass County, being the fifth-born child to Edward D. and Edith L. (Ator) Weeks. Her grade school education was achieved at Rockdale and Dog Hollow country schools. She attended Corning High School, a member of the class of ’48. Edna was a member of the Corning Christian Church and was baptized in ‘54.
Edna was born soon after the big depression of ’29. Being from a family of 14 children, she underwent many hardships. She lived during the time of World War II, so she actively experienced food and gas rationing. She recalled blue stamps for canned foods, red stamps for meat and black/white for sugar. It was all but impossible to purchase autos, tires, shoes, appliances of any kind and many other items. In the nine decades Edna lived, communications advanced tremendously. She adapted to the world of computers easily and her children and grandchildren were amazed with her computer skills.
It was after World War II that she met and married Kenneth (Ray) Raymond Keefe. To this union three children were born: Peggy, David and Patti. While married to Ray, his barbering jobs took them to several surrounding towns such as Clarinda, Greenfield and Bedford where they lived for three years before moving back to Corning. Edna lived 66-plus years at 400 16th St. in Corning.
After Ray’s passing in 1971, Edna became acquainted (through mutual friend Dick Blazek) with Gerald (Jerry) R. Walker, and Jerry and Edna were married November 1975.
Edna had a number of interests. She bowled for many years until she could no longer physically participate. The highlight every year was going to the State Bowling Tournament. She loved the sport of golf and captured the Happy Hollow City Champ spot 10 times, the last being at age 82. Jerry and Edna enjoyed playing in many couples golf tournaments.
They also took a multitude of camper trips including trips to the east and west coasts. Edna acquired a love for Fiesta dishes and had a sizable collection of both vintage and new Fiesta, which was liberally displayed in her home. She loved old-time country music and dancing. She enjoyed music festivals, especially the Rosine, Kentucky, festival, with her sister Linda and husband Jon.
When Edna was attending high school, she worked at the Tindall Cafe to pay rent for her room in town. Edna was a stay-at-home mom, but she did sack candy in her home for Norm Cline. When the children were older, she joined the work force outside the home and worked for Grundman Insurance before seeking employment at the Corning Municipal Utilities, where she worked for 23 years before retiring.
Upon retirement Jerry and Edna escaped the cold Iowa winters and spent the winter months at Donna, Texas, in Magnolia Park. They loved the golf, music, dancing and sunshine in the Rio Grand Valley. Fortunately, they did this for over 20 years before Jerry’s failing health.
The most precious part of Edna’s life was her family. She was so proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Nothing pleased her more than when they came to visit, whether for a day or a week. They could plan on a game of croquet, baking cookies, doing some crafts, playing cards (especially crick/crack) or trying to get them interested in golf. Edna was never happier than when she could prepare a big meal and have her family around the dining room table. One of the highlights of the year was the Weeks family reunion when she could be with her siblings. She loved them all. Edna often said she couldn’t show up at the reunion without her homemade ice cream and her stuffed zucchini.
Edna was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husbands, Ray Keefe and Jerry Walker; daughter Peggy Templeton and siblings: Wayne Weeks, Gerald Weeks, Betty Reichardt, Max Weeks, Joan Langseth, Mildred Leach and Shirley Christensen.
She is survived by her son David (Linda) Keefe of Cedar Rapids; daughter Patti (Clif) Morrison of Scott City, Kansas; brothers: Jack (Pat) Weeks of Rowland Heights, California, Bernard (Carolyn) Weeks of Independence, Missouri, and Ernie Weeks of Choctaw, Oklahoma; sisters: Beverly Weber of Santa Clarita, California, Linda (Jon Pierce) of Lincoln, Nebraska, and Judy (Tom) Counterman of Healdton, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren: Troy Templeton of Gladstone, Missouri, Christina (Brian) Wakefield of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, Clint (Loretta) Morrison of Cimarron, Kansas, Deanna (Jason) Johnston of Cedar Rapids, Lisa (Matt) Trout of Colwich, Kansas, Tara (Carey) Kramer of Kansas City, Missouri, Kim (Jan) Wilkinson of Scott City and Layne Conway of Marshall, Missouri; son-in-Law Mick (Esther) Templeton of Corning; 11 great-grandchildren; three stepchildren: Cindy (Paul) Cannatella of Houston, Texas, Katie (Marvin) Wills of Gatesville, Texas, and Kelly (Alannah) Walker of Magnolia, Texas; six step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She leaves to mourn many loving nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center, Corning, with Mr. Larry Johnson officiating. Family will receive friends 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., prior to the service. Inurnment of Edna’s ashes will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery with her first husband, Ray Keefe and in the McCracken, Kansas, cemetery with Jerry Walker.
Memorials may be directed to the family in Edna’s name, to be established. Memories and condolences may be left online at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.