Edna Thiede

Edna Thiede, 90, Grand Forks, left this world peacefully on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at Valley Memorial Homes Eldercare Center in Grand Forks. Edna Bernice Thiede was born September 21, 1921 in Walker, MN. She was the middle child of three born to Ernest and Frances (Blakely) Landon. She was raised and educated in Manvel, ND. Edna's father died when she was very young and her mother raised the three girls in somewhat austere conditions on a farm near Manvel. Edna and her sisters grew up to be strong and responsible women. Edna married Alfred Thiede on June 8, 1943. To this union three children were born; Ronald, Gary and Kenneth. As career opportunities occurred in Alfred's work in law enforcement, the family lived in a number of communities in northeast ND. For Edna, this also presented varied opportunities. She worked as a church secretary in Langdon, and also volunteered as a Sunday School Teacher. She worked for a legal firm in Langdon, and eventually for the Clerk of District Court in Grand Forks County for 15 years, retiring in 1983. During the early years of her retirement, Edna corresponded by handwritten letter with numerous acquaintances and relatives. She also enjoyed eating out and day trips to communities where her family had lived through the years. Edna was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2003 and entered Valley Eldercare in Grand Forks in April, 2004, where she resided until her passing. As a resident of the care center, Edna lived comfortably and contentedly until a very short time before her death. She continued her life-long love of reading, and read the newspaper thoroughly every day. Before her illness, she was also a fan of a number of celebrities, Johnny Cash being her absolute favorite. Edna celebrated her 90th birthday on September 21 of this year. Surviving Edna are two sons and daughters-in-law, Gary (Annetter) Thiede of Tuscon, AZ, Ken (Donna) Thiede, Bismarck, ND; two sisters, Hattie Bragg of Manvel, and Esther Mathewson of Owego, NY; grandson, MSgt. Channon Thiede, USAF stationed at Ramstein AB, Germany; great-grandsons, Chase and Jaden Thiede; granddaughter, Chief Petty Officer Brandi Roberts, US Navy sationed out of San Diego, CA; a nephew, Daryl Bragg of Manvel; a niece, Judy (Sam) Jackson of Maryland; and a number of cousins. Preceding her in death were her parents, her husband in 1983 and her oldest son, Ronald in 2008; her brothers-in-law, Kenneth Mathewson and Orval Bragg The family extends deep gratitude to the staff of Valley Eldercare in Grand Forks for the care, respect, and pampering given to Edna. Your attentiveness made Edna's last years comfortable and allowed here the enjoyment of her best possible quality of life. Funeral Services: 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 8, 2011 in Amundson Funeral Home, 2975 S. 42nd St., Grand Forks. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the service in the funeral home. Interment will take place in Memorial Park North Cemetery. Memorials are preferred to Augustana Lutheran Church, 520 University Ave., Grand Forks, ND 58203.