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In Memory

Edna Hirschi (Williams) - Class of 1917

My sister Edna Rose, second child of Jacob and Rose Hirschi was born June 21, 1897. She was quite different from her sister Maude and I. She loved the indoors, cleaning, cooking, helping mother in her needs. I have always thought she was more refined than Maude and I (we loved the outside, dirt, sweaty horses, the whole bit). she was "the lady" and always well groomed, neat, and smart. Edna's hair was smartly dressed in the latest styles, etc. She was very cheerful, had a charming manner about her that drew everyone to her. She was wise concerning what was true and false, always using good sound judgement in all things. She attended school at Albion, Idaho and received her teachers certificate. Her first teaching job was at Star Valley, Wyoming. She started teaching in the fall with a short one week off at Christmas, a long sleigh ride home to Montpelier and then back to Star Valley. Then home again when school closed the last of April. I know how I missed her and well remember my little set of china dishes she gave me at Christmas. After teaching at Cumberland Wyoming she met and married Albert James Williams. To them were born three children. Their second child, Clyde, lost his life in a car/bicycle accident. Then she lost her husband, Al, some years later at Kemmerer, Wyoming. She, Kenneth and Beverly moved to Provo, Utah. Kenneth served in the Armed Forces, came home and married. He was a school teacher also. He became very ill in 1964 and passed away leaving a wife and five young children.

My sister Edna's life was not easy after the loss of her husband and sons. Times were hard. She took in roomers and boarded them. Beverly worked to help her mother. The years leveled off, she again was able to get her head above water so to speak Through all of this she never doubted the power of faith and prayer and always lived the life of a good Latter-Day Saint. She was called to be a Stake Relief Society President. She went on a mission to California. When she came home she was called to be Ward Relief Society President. Her faith was strong and her testimony never faltered. She gave of herself and her means. Her home was open to all who entered there. She was kind and thoughtful and everyone loved Edna. Through her lingering illness she never once murmured, just kept smiling.

Edna was known for her cooking throughout the area. One time David O. McKay, as a member of the Sunday School general board came to the Lincoln Stake in Kemmerer, Wyoming. He came to the William's home for dinner and one of Edna's "claim to fame" was that David O. McKay was so impressed by her homemade bread. She died March 24, 1970 in Provo, Utah.