Edna M. Birkley

Edna M. Birkley, 98, of Ponca, Nebraska died Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at Elms Health Care Center in Ponca. Funeral Services will be 10:30 Monday, February 27, 2017 at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Silver Ridge Cemetery. Edna was born February 18, 1919 to Walter and Anna (Sigler) Arends on the family farm east of Ponca. She was raised and worked on the farm until her marriage to Lynn Birkley on January 1, 1962 at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca. They resided on a farm north of Jackson until their retirement when they moved to Ponca.Edna was a lifetime member of Salem Lutheran Church where she had been very active. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Edna enjoyed sewing, gardening, playing cards, and visiting with friends and family. She also made beautiful hand braided rugs. Edna is survived by 2 brothers-in-law, Milo 'Mike' (Phyllis) Birkley of Jackson, NEand Merle Kurtz of Cushing, IA; many nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lynn; 3 brothers, Walter Jr., Donald (Dorothy) and Darreld Arends; brothers and sisters-in-laws, Dale (Evelyn) Birkley, Ray (Joyce) Birkley, Joe (Janet) Birkley, Wally (Joy) Birkley and Mardell Kurtz. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Salem Lutheran Church of Ponca or the Ponca Senior Center.