Edna Mae Wilhelm

Edna Mae Wilhelm, age 82, of Imbler and formerly of Elgin, died October 9, 2011 at the Grande Ronde Hospital. A celebration of life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street in La Grande.


Edna was born to Emil Robert and Vida Mae (Livermore) Wischnofske on May 17, 1929 in Blodgett, Oregon. She grew up and graduated from a one room school house that she and her siblings walked to everyday. After school she migrated up to Spray to help a sister baby sit and met her husband, Alfred Wilhelm. He was home on leave from the Army. They were married July 25, 1947 in Goldendale, Washington. They ranched in the area then moved in 1948 to the Elgin area to farm. She worked for Boise Cascade from 1975 until 1991. She loved to fix fence, go for rides, go fishing and hunting. She loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She belonged to the Lady's VFW #2990.


Survivors include her children, Alfred Wilhelm Jr. of Prineville, Peggy Frizzell of Summerville, Cinda Childers of Kodiak, Alaska and Barbara Williams of La Grande; twelve grandchildren; bunches of great grandchildren, nieces and nephews; sisters, June Nanta of Eugene and Norma Derr of Elgin; brothers, Larry and Jerry Wischnofske, both of Philomath; sister-in-law, Ollie Howell of Spray; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred Wilhelm in 1996, her parents, five brothers, four sisters, two great grandchildren, DeChalynn Ruth and Dustin Young and son-in-law, Dennis Williams.


Edna would like donations made to Oregon Cancer Society or ALS in lieu of flowers in care of Daniels~Knopp.

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