Edna Criger

.Edna Criger

July 24, 1916 - Oct. 21, 2013

BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Edna Ferguson Criger was born July 24, 1916, the third child of Henry and Mae (Bales) Ferguson outside Morsenville, Kansas. On Thanksgiving Day, 1922, her family moved to Southwest Nebraska, where she lived the remaining time.

Edna married George Lester Criger on July 16, 1934. To this union eight children were born, 22 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren. She lived through the Great Depression, lived through heartbreaks and saw many changes in the world. Automobiles became commonplace and telephones were placed into homes. More recently, she became familiar with looking at pictures on a smart phone and skyping.

Edna and Lester painted houses for many years. When Lester died, Edna and son, Doyle, continued the painting business. She was 86 years old the last time she helped paint a house. Edna loved to find a doll at a yard sale who needed a home and would clean up the doll and crochet her a new dress. At one time she had over 300 dolls adopted and clothed. In recent years she continued to color velvet pictures and make potholders on a loom.

Edna was a respectful daughter, a loving wife, sister, and a patient mother and grandmother. Her children never wanted because they always had an abundance of love. She never smoked a cigarette, but once drank a beer. She said she liked it and, therefore, never drank a second. Someone once said of her, "There are women and there are ladies and Edna Criger is a lady."

Edna passed away early Monday morning, Oct. 21, 2013, at the age 97, at the Dundy County Hospital, Benkelman, under the watchful eye of the nursing staff.

Survivors include daughter, Ila Jean Lewis and husband, Leonard, of Missoula, Montana, sons, Dale Criger of Missoula, Delbert Criger and friend, Loia, of Lake Havasu, Arizona, Kenneth Criger and wife, Marilyn, of Stratton, Nebraska, Charlie Criger and wife, Dodie, of Westerville, Ohio, daughter, Cindy Preston, and husband, Jason, of Benkelman, Nebraska; brother, Johnny Ferguson and wife, Wilma, of Parks, Nebraska; sister, Leitha Christensen and husband, Steve, of Lebanon, Oregon; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Edna was preceded in death by her husband, Les of 53 years; infant daughter, Leila, and son, Doyle; two granddaughters, Debbie and Kathy; her sisters, Dorothy and Evea; brothers, Alvin and Willis; and step-brother and sister, Ora and Esther.

Funeral services will be Wednesday morning, Oct. 23, 2013, 10:30 a.m.. (MT) at the Benkelman Community Building, Benkelman, Nebraska, with Rev. Bill Lewis officiating. Interment will follow at the Benkelman Cemetery.

Visitation will be held Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 22, 2013, 2 - 6 p.m. (MT) at the Benkelman Community Building, Benkelman, Nebraska.

A memorial has been established to the Hester Memorial Home in Benkelman

Online condolences can be left at liewerfuneralhome.com

Benkelman Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.