Life Legacy

Visitation

Friday, March 28, 2008

After 4:00 PM

Ohde Funeral Home

Coon Rapids, Iowa

Funeral Service

Saturday, March 29, 2008

10:30 AM

United Methodist Church

Coon Rapids, Iowa

Casket Bearers ~ Grandchildren

Jason Arrowsmith     Jeff Arrowsmith     Tim Williams

Scott & Nichole Williams

Elizabeth (Arrowsmith) & Travis Hough

Honorary Casket Bearers

JoAnne Arrowsmith

Jeanete Arrowsmith

  Interment

Union Township Cemetery

East of Coon Rapids, Iowa

  Edna Lorene, daughter of William S. and Lula Mae (Smelser) Mahan, was born November 23, 1919, at Midco, MO. The family moved to Springfield, MO, when Edna was a small child. They lived in Springfield, MO, and Waterloo, IA, before settling in Coon Rapids, IA, where Edna graduated from high school. She then worked at Textor’s Grocery Store for six years.

   On February 22, 1946, Edna was united in marriage with Howard Arrowsmith at the Free Methodist Church in Coon Rapids. Three children were born to this union and Edna settled into the role of homemaker and full time mother. She loved to sew and made her daughter’s clothes through college and her first teaching position.  She also made quilts and rag rugs. The family had a large garden and Edna canned the produce. Throughout her life she enjoyed reading every word in several newspapers. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids and the Thelma Circle. After her husband retired, Edna and Howard enjoyed traveling and being with their friends in the Heritage Club.

  Edna continued to live in their home in Coon Rapids after the death of her husband in 2004. When her health would no longer allow her to live alone she moved to the Thomas Rest Haven Nursing Home. In mid March 2008, she entered St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll and several days later transferred to Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha. She died there rather unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at the age of 88 years, 4 months and 3 days.

   Preceding her in death are her parents; husband; parents-in-law Charles and Addie Arrowsmith; and all of her siblings: Beulah Andersen; Roy Mahan; Floyd Mahan; Charles Mahan and Retha Burr.

   Edna is survived by her three children: Thomas Arrowsmith and wife Kathleen of Vancouver, WA; Rosemary and husband Marvin Williams of New Providence, IA; Rex Arrowsmith of Audubon; 5 grandchildren: Jason Arrowsmith and wife JoAnne and Jeffrey Arrowsmith and wife Jeanete all of Battle Ground, WA; Tim Williams of Clear Lake, IA; Scott Williams and wife Nichole of Union, IA and Elizabeth and husband Travis Hough of Vance, OK; 7 great-grandchildren: Georgia, Cassie, Molly, Madalyn, Ben, Paige and Megan Arrowsmith; numerous in-laws; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.