Celena Marie Edwards

Celena Marie Edwards

Anamosa

Celena Marie Edwards, 85, of Anamosa, Iowa, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at her home. The family will greet friends from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church in Monticello, Iowa. A Funeral Service will follow at 1 p.m. at the church, conducted by Paster Wade Reddy. Burial will follow at Wayne Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Monticello. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion, Iowa, is assisting the family.

Celena was born on April 1, 1939, in rural Jones County, the daughter of Emil and Wilhelmina “Minnie” (Brockens) Ulferts. She was a 1957 graduate of Anamosa High School. On September 8, 1956, Celena was united in marriage to Dean Ronald Edwards at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. She worked at Turner Microphone Minntex Citrus and the Anamosa State Penitentiary. For over 60 years, Dean and Celena worked together, side by side, on the family farm. A hardworking yet gentle soul who was not afraid to get her hands dirty doing chores, working in the field, and tending to her garden. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandma, and Oma, who always put her family above everything.

Celena was a 4-H Leader and participated in several clubs, including the Jackson Wise Owls, 500 Card Club, Domestic Engineer’s Ladies Club, and bowling and golfing leagues. She was a lifelong member of the Wayne Zion Lutheran Church. Celena loved being a farmer’s wife, reading, gardening, baking, going to casinos, and playing cards. She was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes fan and loved attending her grandchildren’s extracurricular activities, being their number one cheerleader. Most of all, Celena loved spending time with all her family. She will be remembered for always having homemade cookies for her grandchildren to fight over. Celena especially enjoyed playing, watching, and visiting with her great grandchildren who called her “Oma.”

Celena is survived and lovingly remembered by her four children, Cindy (Keith) Austin, Candace (Dan Hopfensperger) Holub, Curt (Gwen) Edwards, and Carol (Marsha Berls) Edwards; four grandchildren, Angela (Jon Townsend) Holub, Zach Ralston, Dustin (Amber) Edwards, and Darren (Charly Ketelsen) Edwards; four great-grandchildren, Kyler, Ellie Mae, Gracie, and Korbin; special nieces, Ann Heins and Michelle Frazier; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; loving husband of 65 years, Dean Edwards; grandson, Travis Anderson; granddaughter, Stacey Ralston; sister, Meta Murray; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Lee (Sally) Edwards; and nephew, Ross Murray.

Celena will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Please share a memory of Celena at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.