Edna Lawrence

Edna Lawrence, 95, of Scranton went to her heavenly home on Friday, June 3, 2016 at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids surrounded by her family.

Funeral service were held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 9 at the Scranton United Methodist Church with Pastor Joyce Webb officiating assisted by Pastor Bob Rogers and Ben Kolars. Music for the service was by Lula Garnes and Rachael Scott. Graveside services were held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday at the Scranton Township Cemetery. Casket bearers were Ben Kolars, Todd Kolars, Sam Kolars, Maj. David Schermerhorn, Matthew Christensen, Randy Christensen, Bret Larwick and Stephen Fey. Honorary casket bearers were Neal Hoyt, Glen Christensen, Curt Eason, Doyle Roberts, Orvie Umbaugh, Mike Holden, Chop Gibson, Jim Gibson, Don Wiederin, Jerry Byerly and George Marcelis.

Edna was born August 23, 1920 on the family farm in Carroll, Iowa to George and Eleanora (Bucholz) Happe. Edna graduated from Carroll High School in 1938 as salutatorian of her class. After graduation, her family moved to a farm west of Scranton. On June 8, 1943 she married her beloved husband, Johnny Lawrence in Leesville, Louisiana. John was serving in the United States Army stationed at Camp Polk. While John served overseas in WWII, Edna worked at Merchant and Farmers Bank in Leesville and Mosier and Son Hardware in Scranton. John returned home from the war in 1946 and they began farming on the George and Gertie Knauss farm west of Scranton. Johnny and Edna were soul mates for 55 years. They were blessed with two daughters, Elaine in 1949 and Mary Jane in 1950.

Edna was involved in many community organizations: Varceis Club, Fortnightly Club, Alphian Society and Amigas Club. She was an avid quilter and was a member of the Heartfelt Quilters for many years. She was a member and very active in the Scranton Church of Christ teaching Sunday school and vacation bible school, and she served as financial secretary for a number of years. In 1966, Edna began working at Home State Bank in Jefferson and was employed there for 18 years. Edna was a devoted farmer’s wife working hand in hand with her beloved Johnny. As a mother, she was a woman of faith who deeply instilled her Christian values in her children. She enjoyed reading and she was an avid gardener growing beautiful flowers. Her family was her greatest joy and she loved spending time with her five grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

Edna is survived by her two daughters, Elaine Schermerhorn (Dan) of Scranton and Mary Jane Kolars (Carl) of Marshalltown; five grandchildren: Amy Larwick (Bret) of Ames, Maj. David Schermerhorn of Denver, Colo., Ben Kolars (Alisa) of Coon Rapids, Todd Kolars (Misty) of Clarence, Mo., Sam Kolars (Kate) of Ankeny; eleven great grandchildren: Ian and Evan Larwick and Jakin, Savannah, Alisabeth, Lillian, Titus, Makenna, Asher, Hannah and Caden Kolars; and a sister, Ramona Scott (Alan) of Omaha. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Eleanora Happe; her husband, John in 1998; three brothers: Melvin, Paul and Robert Happe; and two sisters, Dorothy Beatty and Rita Downs.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com.