Knight, Edna Christina Kehoe

Edna Christina Kehoe Knight, 104, of Cedar Rapids, died May 8, 2010, at her home, surrounded by her loving family, after a short illness. Edna's life will be celebrated at a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 12, at All Saints Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, with Father David O'Connor officiating. Burial: 2 p.m. at Holy Cross Cemetery, Anamosa. A rosary will be Tuesday at 4:30 p.m., followed by a vigil, at Teahen Funeral Home, where family and friends may visit from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Friends may also visit Wednesday after 9:30 a.m. at the church.

Edna was born in Cascade, Iowa, on Dec. 20, 1905, to William “Babe” Kehoe and Angela Fagan Kehoe. The Kehoe family had six sons and five daughters. Edna grew up on the family farm in Castle Grove. She attended country school for the first seven years and attended eighth grade at St. Martin's in Cascade. She graduated from St. Xavier in Manchester. After high school, Edna attended Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls.

Edna married Victor Knight of Viola on Sept. 5, 1931. They made their home in Anamosa, where they had eight children. In 1965, Edna and Vic moved to Cedar Rapids, where Vic worked for the Iowa Highway Commission (Iowa Department of Transportation) until his death in 1971. Edna worked at Jim's Pharmacy on Mount Vernon Road for a number of years.

Edna witnessed enormous changes in her 104 years. She thrived on her independence but welcomed support from family and friends. Edna excelled at making each person in her life feel special. Her main concern was the comfort and well-being of those around her. Her gentle sense of humor touched many people. She remembered each family members' birthday/anniversary with beautifully handwritten notes and cards. She always had a box of animal crackers or Tang ready for visiting grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed sharing stories, including the latest details, about each of her children, 17 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Edna was famous for dressing up on Halloween when the neighborhood children would visit for trick-or-treat. She also loved all things Irish, especially Irish songs. Her last public outing was to the St. Patrick's Day parade in Cedar Rapids.

Edna is survived by one sister-in-law, Patty Kehoe of Anamosa; and by her children, JoAn Knight Herren of Calverton, Md., Barbara (Kermit) Johnson of Solon, Keeran “Fuzz” (Garlene) Knight of Cedar Rapids, Phyllis (Patrick) Knight Carey of Newton, Wis., and Keith (Delores) Knight of Decorah; a son-in-law, Ivan Opperman (Marilyn) of Monticello; 17 grandchildren, Vicki (Bill Alldredge) Herren of Thermopolis, Wyo., Cristi (Chas Dense) Herren of Juneau, Alaska, Randy Johnson of Trinity, N.C., Julie (David) Knight Wiedner of Cedar Rapids, Tom (Karen) Knight of Hiawatha, Kevin (Teri) Herren of Lusby, Md., Aaron (Jackie) Opperman of Strawberry Point, Nancy (Kevin) Raue of Cedar Rapids, Calleen (Dan) Knight Friedrichs of Minneapolis, Mary Knight of Minneapolis, Heidi Herren of Rapid City, S.D., Greg Knight of Minneapolis, Angela (Gary) Opperman Larson of Monticello, Ann Nelson of Williston, N.D., Eric (Anne) Opperman of Omaha, Neb., Brian (Justine) Carey of Sheboygan, Wis., and Michael Carey of Milwaukee, Wis.; and 23 great-grandchildren, Megan Herren of Lusby, Md., Hailee and Kurt Raue of Cedar Rapids, Christopher, Branden and Victoria Knight of Hiawatha, Lindsay Larson Fones and Jennifer Larson Klapmeier of DuPont, Wash., Jon Larson of Cedar Rapids, Travis Larson of Ames, Ellen and Katheryn Opperman of Strawberry Point, Rece and Roen Opperman of Omaha, Neb., Trenton Carey of Green Bay, Wis., Alexander Carey of Sheboygan, Wis., Megan and Erin Friedrichs of Minneapolis, Zac and Lila Merhi of Minneapolis, and Sam, Maddie and Carter Nelson of Williston, N.D.

Edna was preceded in death by husband, Victor (1971); daughter, Rose Ann Opperman (2001); sons, William and Michael; parents, William and Angela; and siblings, Angela, Emmet (Teddy), Charlie, Jovita (Vita), Florence, Ralph, Loraine, Justin, Gerald and Melvin.

Memorials may be made in Edna's name to Camp Courageous, All Saints Parish, Meals on Wheels, Hospice of Mercy, or to a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be left for the family at