Edna Fay

Edna Fay of Sumner passed away on April 17, 2020, at the age of 88. She was born Edna Matilda Franzen on October 19, 1931, on the family farm near St. Lucas, Iowa, the fifth of ten children. Edna was the first high school graduate in her family. She married John W. Fay from Fredericksburg on October 18, 1949, in St. Lucas.

Edna was a longtime member of the Pinhook and Sumner Immaculate Conception Catholic communities. She was an officer and active participant in the Ladies’ Altar and Rosary Society, helping cook meals for weddings, funerals, fundraisers, and other special events. She enjoyed singing with the radio, dancing, reading, gardening, and playing cards. Family or visitors to the home could always count on a hot cup of coffee and a hearty meal. The weekly family treats were the ten loaves of bread and cinnamon rolls or doughnuts she baked.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Mike and Clara Schmitt Franzen; her sisters, Marcella Franzen Blong, Anna Laura Franzen Leichtnam, Clarene Franzen Humpal, Lorrena Franzen Bohr; her brothers, Albert Franzen, Leo Franzen, and Duane Franzen; her former husband John Watenpaugh Fay, and daughters Kathy Sue Fay and Diane Marie Fay.

She is survived by brothers, LaVerne (Rosemary) Franzen and Florian (Pat) Franzen; her children, Joanne Fay (Bob) Huss, Frank Fay, Christine Fay (Ed) Tibesar, James (Barbara) Fay, John (Joyce) Fay, Barbara Fay (Jay) Hageman,  David Fay and Michael Fay; her twenty-one grandchildren and thirty-four great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Her family thanks the good care of Cobblestone Court Assisted Living in Sumner, Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly, Dr. Daoud and the dedicated staff at Davita Dialysis Centers in Waverly and West Union, and St. Croix Hospice, Charles City. In lieu of flowers, please send any donations to Immaculate Conception Church, Sumner, Iowa, or a charity of your choice. 

There will be a private graveside service at Pinhook with a celebratory memorial service at a later date.  Services are in the care of Becker-Milnes Funeral Home, Sumner, Iowa, 563-578-3451, www.beckermilnesrettig.com.