Edna T. Schenzel

Edna T. Schenzel Edna Theresa Neville was born on February 1st, 1915 at Boyer Hills Farm, in Boyer, Iowa to John Peter Neville and Mary Edna Walker Neville. She was the first born to John and Mary and her arrival was eagerly awaited with many Uncles in the parlor keeping John company. She was an older sister to: Cynthia Velva Danielson, born 4-16-1916; John George Neville born 5-23-1917; Florance Iola Messer born, 01-10-1918; Grace Naomie Pair, born, 04-16-1920; Lottie Rose born Oct 1921 passing away from pneumonia 6 months later; and Mary Sunshine (Sunny) Brown born 4-8-1924. The Neville family made their home in Odebolt, Iowa where her father worked at the Cracker Jack Factory. Edna was a smart student and often stated that it was because her mom Mary was a school teacher before she married and knew how to keep her kids focused on their schoolwork. Her desire was to become a Lawyer like her Uncles on her Mother’s side, until the un-timely death of her Uncle Jim who was to sponsor her schooling. She then worked as a caregiver and a book keeper for a dairy. She enjoyed spending time with siblings playing mostly brother George's games (because, she said they were more fun) and keeping an eye on the ever wandering little Sunny. She enjoyed watching baseball games and sitting with friends in the park singing. She felt equally blessed to have her Maternal Grandmother live most of her life with the family, who taught her, cooking and sewing skills. She had a long distance dating relationship with Jacob David Schenzel from Omaha, Nebraska. It was shortly after he secured a farm homestead 4 miles north of Withrow, WA; that he traveled back to Odebolt Iowa and asked his sweetheart to marry him. She accepted and a small wedding was held on February 26, 1938 at the Ministers home in Odebolt, Iowa with her Sister Velva as her Matron of honor. After saying her good byes to her family, her Grandmother passed away the next day. Jacob and Edna drove straight through from Odebolt to their new home at the Willow Springs Ranch in a Model T. Once set up in her new home, Edna threw herself into making an “unfinished” house their home. They welcomed their only child, Mary Edna, into the world in 1939. While raising a daughter, with no outside family help she was responsible helping Jake in the field at a moments notice (with the exception of laundry day). She grew and canned a large garden, herded and milked the cows, raised chickens, geese, pigeons (yep, to eat), and turkeys (which she said were the dumbest of all foul), sewed all their clothes, cooked all the meals and put up or canned their produce to get them through the winter. Edna often recalled the stories of shoveling wheat and driving wheat truck during harvest. She also drove the bus for the Withrow School. Edna loved to go back to see her Parents, Uncles, Cousins, her Siblings and their families. She equally enjoyed their trips out to her home; where they all loved to come visit in the summer and early fall hoping to be there for the wheat harvest. Edna and Jacob loved to show off the beauty of the surrounding area, taking them to Rocky Reach Dam, Ohme Gardens, and taking the Lady of the Lake boat trip to see Rainbow Falls. While back in Iowa attending her Mothers funeral she was able to bring her father John back home with her on the bus trip. He loved the area but couldn't understand how the dirt could hold up those mountains. Edna and Jacob loved to spoil their two Grandaughters, Theresa, and Mary Esther. Mary and the girls lived in Mansfield, WA and would spend most weekends and all summers at the ranch. It was a blessed place to grow up. Thanks to the Schwans Man, there was always plenty of ice cream. Trips to the Withrow Store were a highlight as it was the community hub of information. Folks gathered around the pot belly stove or the coke machine and caught up on news. Her many talents included crocheting, including beautiful lace snowflakes, table cloths, and embroidering pillow cases. She could sew a beautiful blouse out of an old flour sack, or a party dress for her daughter Mary in her school days. Most folks remembered that she could look into a bare cupboard and still make a delicious dinner. She was legendary for her Goulash, Sauerkraut and Spareribs, chocolate chip cookies and potato pancakes for breakfast. Many people would ask what was the secret for such a long life. She said it was all the hard work, like shoveling wheat and driving wheat truck. Personally, I saw it was her zest for life. She wanted to LIVE everyday. She was always up for a road trip or attend a party, meet someone new and ask them questions. She lived her last 5 years with her Granddaughter Esther in Wenatchee and made so many new friends. She got up every morning with a smile, got dressed, made her bed, said good morning and "what can I do to help?". She never focused on her health issues, and rarely spoke of them. When she was given the diagnosis of the pancreatic cancer that took her life, she said "well, I didn't see this coming, I still have things I need to do". She handled her last days with the grace and dignity that we have all come to know. She was preceded in death by her Mother, Father, her beloved husband Jacob, all her siblings, Son- in- Law John W. Kiedrowski, three nephews Allen Messer, George Messer and John Danielson. She is survived by her daughter Mary Kiedrowski of Bridgeport; Granddaughter, Theresa Dale and husband Mike of Rosalia, WA; Granddaughter M. Esther Zimmerman and Andy Zimmerman of Wenatchee, WA; Great-Grandson Cody Joe Dale and wife Stephanie of Pensacola, FL; and three Great-Great Grandsons, Zane, Harlan and newborn Flint Dale. Nieces and Nephews; Myrna Danielson Willis, Dean Danielson, Gary Danielson, Dale Danielson, Carol Ann Neville, Jimmy Neville, Claire Messer, Cynthia Pair, David Pair, Eileen Pair Montgomery, Cathy Pair Darrock, George Pair and Sheila Brown Lowery. Along with numerous loving members of her husband Jacob's family. Her service will be held Monday August 8th, 2016 at the United Lutheran Church in Waterville. Viewing at the Church will be prior to the 4:00 p.m. service. She will be interred next to Jacob in the Waterville Cemetery. There will be a big “ol Farm Wife” kind of dinner at the church. We will be serving all of Edna/Grams favorite foods. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mansfield Ambulance Fund, Attn: Clint Wall P.O. Box 4 Mansfield, WA 98830. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements are the Waterville Funeral Home

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Edna T. Schenzel

February 1, 1915 - August 1, 2016